The latest World Happiness Report 2026 has revealed a growing link between heavy social media use and lower life satisfaction, particularly among young people.
Released to mark the International Day of Happiness, the annual report shows that individuals who frequently use social media platforms tend to feel less fulfilled with their lives.
According to the study, life satisfaction among people under the age of 25 has dropped significantly over the past decade, especially in English-speaking and Western European nations. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand recorded notable declines.
The findings are based on surveys of approximately 100,000 respondents across 140 countries, assessing how people perceive their quality of life and overall well-being.
Researchers noted that excessive engagement with social media has contributed to a decline in personal well-being among young users globally. In the United States, for instance, many college students admitted they would prefer a world without social media platforms, even though they continue using them due to social pressure.
The report comes amid increasing global discussions on regulating social media access for minors.
Published annually by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the rankings are based on three-year averages.
They take into account key factors such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, personal freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
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