Metro53 - New York (Web Desk) – The World Happiness Report 2026 has revealed a significant decline in happiness levels among young people, largely attributed to the increasing use of social media.
The report was prepared by the Wellbeing Research Centre at University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup and the United Nations. It highlights that in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, satisfaction with life among individuals under 25 has dropped sharply over the past decade.
Based on surveys of 100,000 individuals across approximately 140 countries, the study found that some young people even wish social media platforms did not exist. Excessive use of social media has been linked to lower well-being, particularly among teenage girls in English-speaking and Western European countries.
The findings emerge at a time when governments are considering restrictions on social media use for minors. Researchers noted that daily use exceeding seven hours is strongly associated with reduced well-being. Platforms focused on algorithms, image-centric content, and influencer material were cited as major contributing factors.
The report also stated that most college students in the US wish social media platforms did not exist. Many use these platforms because their peers do, but they would prefer that no one used them. Interestingly, those who spend less than an hour per day on social media reported higher well-being compared to heavy users.
In the overall rankings, Finland topped the list for the ninth consecutive year, leading the Nordic region due to wealth, equality, strong welfare systems, and high life expectancy. Costa Rica ranked fourth, attributed to strong social and family ties.
