social media

Finland leads the 2026 World Happiness Report for the ninth year, but the Netherlands slips to seventh place amid the toll of social media on youth well-being. Teens averaging more than 2.5 hours daily on platforms like Instagram and TikTok report plummeting life satisfaction, especially among girls, while moderate users thrive. In Brainport Eindhoven, expat families and tech hubs face heightened risks, spurring calls for EU-wide bans on age 15, digital detoxes, and real-world bonds.

Teenagers are increasingly relying on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat for news, yet their trust in social media remains low. A new study explores how the youth encounter information online and why they remain sceptical of AI-generated content.

A record 350 secondary schools across the country are participating in a dedicated week of sexual and relational education. The programme focuses on helping students navigate the complexities of online sexuality, sexting, and the impact of social media on their self-esteem. By providing teachers with specialised tools, the initiative aims to bridge the gap in current school curriculums.