Heavy social media use linked to falling youth happiness: Report

Colombo, March 20 (Daily Mirror) - The World Happiness Report 2026 has flagged serious concerns about how social media is affecting young people’s wellbeing around the world.

According to the report, happiness levels among youth in North America and Western Europe have dropped noticeably over the past 15 years, a period that also saw a sharp rise in social media use. While the link isn’t simple, the findings suggest that heavy usage plays a significant role.

Data from 47 countries show that teenagers who spend more than seven hours a day on social media tend to report much lower life satisfaction compared to those who use it for less than an hour. The impact appears to be stronger among girls.

On the other hand, moderate or limited use is generally linked to better wellbeing.

However, the report makes it clear that not all screen time is harmful. Activities like communicating with others, learning, or creating content are associated with more positive outcomes. In contrast, passive scrolling, gaming, and entertainment-focused browsing are more likely to reduce life satisfaction.

Platforms driven by algorithms and influencer culture are also linked to higher stress, depression, and unhealthy comparisons.

The effects also vary by region. While Western countries show a strong connection between heavy social media use and lower happiness, places like Latin America and the Middle East show more mixed results suggesting that how people use social media matters just as much as how often they use it.

The report concludes that social media is not the only reason behind declining youth wellbeing, but excessive use carries clear risks. It also notes that many young users themselves feel conflicted, saying they wish these platforms didn’t exist, even though they feel pressure to stay connected.

Sri Lanka, which ranks 134th in global happiness, is also seeing similar digital trends, raising concerns about how social media could be shaping the wellbeing of its younger generation.