Digital Technology Tools and Worship Engagement of Youths in The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Youth Province-12, Osun State, Nigeria

Digital technology tools such as social media platforms are fundamentally reshaping human experiences; especially, with regards to religious worship experience and spiritual formation activities. While digital technology tools have the potential to guarantee rich worship engagements, there is a pressing need to examine whether the incorporation of social media platforms enhances or detracts worship experiences of youths; more so that there is perceived lack of understanding regarding effective use of specific social media platforms in worship. Hence, this study investigated digital technology tools and worship engagement of youths in The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Youth Province-12, Osun State, Nigeria. The study is anchored on theory of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study adopted descriptive survey research design and adopted stratified and simple random sampling techniques to select a sample of hundred and three (103) youths and sixteen (16) church leaders within the study area. Data were collected using a duly validated self-designed questionnaire and a rating scale. Summary of findings revealed a very high social media presence of churches within RCCG Youth Province 12 on WhatsApp (100%), Facebook (87.5%) and Youtube (62.5%); while extent of social media engagement recorded very high prevalence on WhatsApp is (93.8%); live streaming of church worship services on Instagram live scores 6.25% and YouTube live had 18.75%. Also, YouVersion (59.2%) emerges as the most frequently used religious mobile app. The study recommends the implementation of digital literacy programme that promote diversified effective use of social media platforms for worship engagements with concerns real spiritual worship experiences among RCCG Churches.