Is Social Media Making Youth Unhappy? UN Report Reveals

A recent report by the United Nations has revealed that excessive use of social media is negatively affecting the mental health and happiness of young people. According to the World Happiness Report, Finland has once again been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the ninth consecutive time. This year’s report mainly focused on the impact of social media, especially as many countries are considering restrictions on its use among youth.

The report highlights that happiness levels among people under the age of 25 have dropped significantly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The decline is more noticeable among young women. At the same time, studies show that youth in other parts of the world are feeling more satisfied with their lives compared to the past.

Experts say the impact of social media is complex and depends on factors like usage time, type of platform and personal background such as gender and financial status. While heavy use is linked to lower happiness, completely avoiding social media may also lead to missing some positive benefits. In the global rankings of 147 countries, Afghanistan recorded the lowest happiness levels, largely due to ongoing conflict and concerns over human rights under Taliban rule.