Social Media Makes People Unhappy — World Happiness Report
The 2026 World Happiness Report has revealed that young people who spend more time on social media are reporting lower levels of life satisfaction.
The report, released annually to mark the International Day of Happiness on March 20, ranks countries based on how citizens rate their well-being and overall life satisfaction.
According to the 2026 findings, life satisfaction among people under 25, particularly in English-speaking and Western European countries, has dropped sharply over the last decade.
Countries highlighted include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The study, which surveyed around 100,000 people across 140 countries, found that heavy social media use is a major factor eroding personal well-being among young people.
In the United States, most college students reportedly wish social media platforms did not exist, using them only because peers do.
The report comes amid growing discussions worldwide about restricting social media use by minors.
Published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the annual report ranks countries based on three-year averages and considers GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
