Social media makes people unhappy — World Happiness Report
The 2026 World Happiness Report reveals a decline in life satisfaction among young people in English-speaking countries.
Summary
The 2026 World Happiness Report reveals a concerning trend in life satisfaction among youth, particularly those under 25, in several English-speaking countries. This demographic has experienced a notable decline over the past decade.
The report emphasizes the role of social media in this downturn, suggesting that its pervasive influence may be detrimental to the well-being of younger individuals.
Despite these challenges, Finland continues to be recognized as the happiest country globally, maintaining its position amidst the broader issues highlighted in the report.
Updates
Update at 09:28 UTC on 2026-03-19
Phys.org reported Heavy social media use contributes to a stark decline in well-being among young people, particularly affecting teenage girls in English-speaking countries and Western Europe.
Sources: Phys.org
Update at 15:51 UTC on 2026-03-20
France 24 reported Young people experience significantly lower wellbeing due to social media, according to the 2026 World Happiness Report.
Sources: France 24