The 2026 World Happiness Report highlights how heavy social media use is eroding the well-being of youth, especially in Western Europe. Finland tops the happiness rankings for the ninth year, but the Netherlands has slipped to seventh place, its lowest ever.
Global rankings and key trends
Finland leads with a life satisfaction score of 7.764 out of 10, followed by other Nordic countries, including Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, in the top 10. Costa Rica surged to fourth, boosted by strong family ties and social connections.
The report, from Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the UN, analyses data from 140 countries. It reveals a stark divide: while overall global happiness is stable or improving in many places, youth under 25 in North America, English-speaking nations, and Western Europe report sharp declines over the past decade.
Social Media’s negative impact
Heavy social media use, often over 2.5 hours daily for teens, correlates with lower life satisfaction, particularly for girls on algorithm-driven, image-heavy platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Young users spending less than one hour daily report the highest well-being, even higher than non-users, suggesting moderate, purposeful use can benefit connections.
In regions like the Middle East and South America, social media links more positively to happiness, with stable youth well-being despite high usage. Researchers blame Western declines on addictive feeds, influencers, and FOMO (fear of missing out), urging a return to “social” interactions.
Netherlands in focus
The Netherlands scored 7.2 out of 10, down from 7.3 last year, amid broader trends among wealthy countries. Youth happiness lags behind that of older generations, mirroring trends in Western Europe, with social media flagged as a key factor. Nearly two-thirds of Dutch people support banning social media for kids and teens, with 60% of 16-28-year-olds in favour.
The coalition government pushes for an EU-wide minimum age of 15, with privacy-friendly verification and bans on addictive algorithms. Polls show 70% adult backing, driven by concerns over sleep issues, depression, and poor self-image. In 2025 research, 2.4 million Dutch users (out of 14.3 million) reported feeling less happy on social media, with teens averaging nearly 3 hours daily. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram grow, while X loses users amid mental health worries.
Implications for the Brainport region
Brainport Eindhoven, a tech innovation hub in North Brabant drawing international talent, faces unique challenges. Youth and families here juggle high-pressure jobs at ASML, Philips, and startups with the pull of social media. The report also highlights the growing negative impact of social media in English-speaking countries, which reflects the international communities here, as the youth consume most of the content in English. Moreover, with extended family and grandparents not in the vicinity, it creates a void for international children.
According to Samen voor Regio, local efforts such as“Brainport voor Elkaar” promote health, vitality, and inclusion to counter inequality. With the region’s focus on digital skills and community events such as language meetups, there’s potential to foster real-world bonds over screens. Dynamo Jeugd is one of the activities that caters to the youth in this region. Eindhoven Sport, Maker Days, Jong & Je Wil, MDT Plus program, Wij Eindhoven and Ontdek Fabriek play a crucial role too. Programs and activities by the libraries and home language programs help immensely. Organisations like Cordaad and Muziek aan de Gender try to bridge the gap in Veldhoven and Kempen municipalities.
UNICEF ranks Dutch children at the top for well-being, but pandemic-related learning losses and social media threaten gains. Report prompts parents and schools to lead with “digital detox” workshops or meetups, emphasising face-to-face joy.
Calls for Action
Experts like Oxford’s Jan-Emmanuel De Neve stress platform-specific effects: prioritise connection over consumption. The Netherlands’ push for a ban aligns with Australia’s under-16 model and EU talks.
For tech-savvy locals in the Brainport region, the growth of social platforms can serve as a model for balanced use. Promoting tools for mindful posting, community events like carnivals and neighbourhood get-togethers, and other offline meetups like Burst your Bubble. Policymakers should enforce age limits, fund mental health support, and regulate algorithms. The report advises limiting social media use to under an hour for individuals, curating positive feeds, and prioritising real talks.
This report warns of a “collective action problem”: everyone joins social media but regrets it. In happiness-leading Nordics, strong welfare and equality buffer the harmful impact. By reclaiming the “social” in social media, the Brainport region can boost youth well-being and sustain its innovative edge.
NEWS BRAINPORT
