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World Happiness Report links heavy social media use to lower life satisfaction
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Young people under 25 worst hit across US, Europe
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Study covers 100,000 respondents across 140 countries
The World Happiness Report 2026 has found that increased use of social media is associated with lower levels of happiness, particularly among young people.
Released to mark the International Day of Happiness, the report showed that individuals who spend more time on social media tend to be less satisfied with their lives.
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The study, which analysed responses from about 100,000 people across 140 countries, revealed a sharp decline in life satisfaction among people under the age of 25, especially in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
According to the report, heavy engagement with social media platforms has negatively impacted the well-being of young people over the past decade.
It further noted that many users feel compelled to remain active online due to peer influence, even though they would prefer a world without such platforms.
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“Most US college students wish social media platforms did not exist. They use them because others are using them, but they would prefer it if no one did,” the report stated.
The findings come amid growing global concerns, with governments considering stricter regulations on social media use by minors.
The report is published annually by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Country rankings in the report are based on factors including income levels, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption.