Heavy social media usage erodes young people's wellbeing, report finds

FILE PHOTO: A teenager poses holding a mobile phone displaying a message from TikTok as law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia takes effect, in Sydney, Australia, December 10, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

HELSINKI, March 19 (Reuters) - Heavy ⁠social media usage appears to contribute to a drop in wellbeing among young people, especially ⁠girls, in some English-speaking countries, the World Happiness Report published on Thursday found.

Already, a number ‌of countries across the world are working on plans to curb children's social media access after Australia in Decemberbecame the world's first country to ban social media for children under 16.