Heavy social media use linked to declining youth wellbeing in Western nations, per 2026 World Happiness Report.

The 2026 World Happiness Report links heavy social media use to declining wellbeing among youth, especially girls, in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where life satisfaction among under-25s dropped nearly one point over the past decade. The report, based on global data, finds that excessive use—particularly passive, algorithm-driven consumption of influencer content—correlates with increased anxiety, depression, and reduced life satisfaction, though no direct causation is proven. Finland remains the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, while nations like Australia have banned social media for under-16s, with others considering similar measures.