Megan Basham

And so this is perhaps a way to try to reshore up that Christian character of their countries. And what's interesting is that statistically what's driving this is young men. They are really the ones who are embracing church. And that reverses a decades long trend, really since time immemorial where women were more religious. So really fascinating that now it's young men.

And so this is perhaps a way to try to reshore up that Christian character of their countries. And what's interesting is that statistically what's driving this is young men. They are really the ones who are embracing church. And that reverses a decades long trend, really since time immemorial where women were more religious. So really fascinating that now it's young men.

Sociologist Dr. Ryan Berg, who's known as an expert in this area, has written that young men are rejecting the feminization of liberal churches in particular. And they're seeking the traditional worship of more conservative churches.

Sociologist Dr. Ryan Berg, who's known as an expert in this area, has written that young men are rejecting the feminization of liberal churches in particular. And they're seeking the traditional worship of more conservative churches.

Josh Abatoy, executive director of American Reformer, which is a Protestant journal that describes its mission as reinvigorating Christianity in America, told me that he is seeing unprecedented engagement from young men.

Josh Abatoy, executive director of American Reformer, which is a Protestant journal that describes its mission as reinvigorating Christianity in America, told me that he is seeing unprecedented engagement from young men.

And to his point there, a 2023 report from the Baptist World Alliance noted a 12% rise in Germany with young men specifically citing the appeal of biblical authority.

And to his point there, a 2023 report from the Baptist World Alliance noted a 12% rise in Germany with young men specifically citing the appeal of biblical authority.

Yeah, a first here. So under the Consumer Data Protection Act, Virginia residents who are under the age of 16, they're going to have a one-hour default time limit on their social media scrolling. However, if a parent wants to override that default setting, they'll be able to give their consent and do that. And it's notable that both sides of the aisle back this.

Yeah, a first here. So under the Consumer Data Protection Act, Virginia residents who are under the age of 16, they're going to have a one-hour default time limit on their social media scrolling. However, if a parent wants to override that default setting, they'll be able to give their consent and do that. And it's notable that both sides of the aisle back this.

The bill garnered wide support from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in the state. And that's not really surprising given how parents have increasingly become concerned about the effects social media has on children's mental health. Virginia's Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill into law on Friday. And it was actually Youngkin who's really become an advocate for parents.

The bill garnered wide support from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in the state. And that's not really surprising given how parents have increasingly become concerned about the effects social media has on children's mental health. Virginia's Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill into law on Friday. And it was actually Youngkin who's really become an advocate for parents.

He wanted this bill to be even more strict. He wanted it to extend to residents under 18 years old. And he wanted the bill to limit addictive features like autoplay on videos where one video plays right after another and infinite scrolling where there's just no bottom to your scrolling. Here's Governor Youngkin.

He wanted this bill to be even more strict. He wanted it to extend to residents under 18 years old. And he wanted the bill to limit addictive features like autoplay on videos where one video plays right after another and infinite scrolling where there's just no bottom to your scrolling. Here's Governor Youngkin.

The act will take effect on January 1st of next year, so 2026.

The act will take effect on January 1st of next year, so 2026.

Yeah, in states led by both Democrats and Republicans. Lawmakers appear to have gotten the message that parents, no matter their political leaning, they want their kids protected online. In California, for example, Governor Newsom signed a bill last year that blocks platforms from providing addictive social media feeds to minors without parental consent.

Yeah, in states led by both Democrats and Republicans. Lawmakers appear to have gotten the message that parents, no matter their political leaning, they want their kids protected online. In California, for example, Governor Newsom signed a bill last year that blocks platforms from providing addictive social media feeds to minors without parental consent.

It also restricts companies from sending notifications to minors during certain hours, like late night hours on a school night. And then in Florida, Governor DeSantis signed a bill that requires social media companies to verify the age of users and to actually terminate accounts of kids who are under the age of 14.

It also restricts companies from sending notifications to minors during certain hours, like late night hours on a school night. And then in Florida, Governor DeSantis signed a bill that requires social media companies to verify the age of users and to actually terminate accounts of kids who are under the age of 14.