Social media makes people unhappy — World Happiness Report

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The 2026 World Happiness Report says people who are more inclined to use social media seem to be less satisfied with their lives.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Happiness Report is released annually as part of the International Day of Happiness celebrated on March 20.

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The report ranks countries based on how people rate their lives and well-being.

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The 2026 report found that life satisfaction among those under 25, especially in English-speaking and Western European countries, has fallen sharply over the past decade.

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According to the report, heavy social media usage has eroded personal well-being among young people across the world.

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The study, based on surveys of around 100,000 people across 140 countries, found life satisfaction among under-25s in countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, has fallen sharply over the past decade.

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The report said most US college students wish social media platforms did not exist.

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“They use them because others are using them, but they would prefer it if no one did,” the report said.

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The findings came as governments across the world increasingly consider restrictions on social media use by minors.

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The annual happiness report is published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

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Rankings reflect three-year averages and consider factors such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption. (NAN)

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