Happiness has been believed for a long time and follows the curve. When you are young, you dip in middle age, and go up again as you get older.
Scratch it -it may not be true anymore.
A new research paper based on the discovery of six countries in English -speaking countries suggests that young people are much happier than generations.
According to a UN Council study published by the US -based National Economic Research Bureau (NBER), consistent life satisfaction and happiness have been reduced among young people over the past decade. The study by San Diego State University Psychologist Jean Twunge and DARTMOUTH University economist David G Blancflower surveyed data collected in 11 surveys in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
But research in other regions of the world seems to suggest that these results are extensively there.
The conclusion of the study of the Blanchflower is to strengthen the faith for a long time that happiness follows the U -shaped curve.
How important this change is -and what is increasing among young people?
What did the study find?
Researchers say that the reduction of misery is particularly clear for young adults and young adults between 12 and 25 years old, and many of them are facing depression and psychological pain at a much higher rate than those who are only a few years old.
Meanwhile, the elderly still experience the satisfaction of life for age.
Shocking changes, especially due to the injuries of digital technology and economic uncertainty, have raised concerns that the younger generation is facing unprecedented challenges in the post -cost world.
What is behind this generation?
Research shows that in the era of smartphones and social media, there is a clear correlation between the decrease in happiness and the increase in the use of the Internet. Researchers say that today is the main point of the difference between the younger generation and the previous people.
The Internet is a “major competitor” of criticism, and Blanchflower told Al Jazeera. “There is nothing wrong with the fact.”
According to a fuel research survey in 2024, three out of four teenagers felt happy or peaceful when they had no smartphones. The researchers after the study of 2024 concluded that social media is the main reason for the teenagers and Prettans in Europe.
Blanchflower’s arguments appear to be supported by research from other countries around the world, including the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and more and more teenagers are approaching smartphones.
BLANCHFLOWER who conducted a similar research on African state titled mental health in African countries,,, Published by NBER in December 2024,,, About half of the huge continental population has never used the Internet, but people who show “mental health problems” said.
“Without the Internet, it can help to explain why young African mental health is decreasing than anywhere else.” “But as the sales of smartphones explode, there is a risk to the horizon.”
The research thesis showed the U -shaped happiness curve by evaluating the research of dozens of African countries, which suggests the correlation between the low Internet access and the high level of happiness among the youth.
“This is certainly a global trend for people connected to the Internet.
According to Blanchflower, there is also evidence that the happy level of middle -aged people using smartphones is lower than the previous generation of the previous generation at the same age without using a smartphone or the Internet.
What is another thing that causes decline?
But only the Internet and smartphones may not be the only driver who has declined happiness among teenagers.
This study suggests that economic difficulties and loneliness can be a contribution factor.
The study said, “Many cultural forces that have had a negative impact on life satisfaction and social views, including direct social interactions, increased social media use, and income inequality.
According to the World Happiness Report in 2024, young people under 30 years of age have declined rapidly since Covid-199 Pandemic. For the first time since it was published in 2012, the decline in happiness has become especially sharp in the United States, which has fallen from the most happy countries in indexes.
The authors of this study say that more research will be needed to understand why young people seem to be more and more unhappy to help policy makers take the concrete steps to reverse these changes.
But Blanchflower is suspicious of the outlook that overturns this trend.
“The interest is that the welfare of young people continues to decrease.” “It is spreading all over the world.”
He urged people to interact with others to “get out of the phone.”
