Study indicates that compulsive social media use degrades adolescent well-being

A study led by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Centre for Demographic Studies (CED) warns that compulsive social media use worsens adolescent well-being. The analysis is a chapter in the World Happiness Report released Wednesday by the UN, which includes data from over 330,000 adolescents across 43 countries. Findings suggest that misuse of social media is linked to psychological distress and a negative perception of living conditions. The issue is more prevalent in Anglo-Celtic countries (Canada, Ireland, and the UK) and less so in the Caucasus and Black Sea region (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey). The impact also varies according to social inequalities, with adolescents from poorer families being the most vulnerable. Led by Pablo Gracia, the study also notes a general deterioration in the digital environment for adolescents between 2018 and 2022. The research is part of the DIGINEQ project, funded by the European Research Council, which examines the relationship between digital usage, adolescent well-being, and social inequalities.