Are Young People Facing a Midlife Crisis? Experts Sound Alarm

Rachid Belhoucine

Young People Facing Happiness Crisis, Warns Global Report

New global research reveals a disturbing trend: young people are becoming significantly less happy than older generations. This decline is particularly stark in North America and Western Europe, with experts calling it a “historic shift” and a potential “midlife crisis for young people.”

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, expressed deep concern about the findings, highlighting the lack of safety data on social media platforms and urging stricter regulations to protect young users. He compared social media use to giving children unproven medication.

Happiness Rankings Plummet for Young People

The 2024 World Happiness Report, compiled by Oxford University and the UN, paints a worrying picture. It shows a significant drop in happiness scores for young people (under 30) in North America (including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). This decline is so severe that young people in these regions now rank as the least happy age group.

The US, once considered a leader in happiness, has fallen eight places overall, dropping out of the top 20 happiest nations. However, the story is even worse for young Americans, who rank a dismal 62nd globally when happiness is measured solely for this age group.

Social Media, Inequality, and Uncertainty Blamed

The report doesn’t pinpoint the exact causes of this decline, but researchers suspect a combination of factors is at play. These include:

The rise of social media: Concerns are growing about the negative impact of excessive social media use on young people’s mental health. Dr. Murthy pointed out that American teenagers spend nearly five hours daily on social media, often sacrificing sleep and real-life connections.

Widening income inequality: The report coincides with growing economic disparities, making it harder for young people to achieve financial security and the sense of well-being that often comes with it.

Housing crisis: The affordability crisis in many countries makes it difficult for young people to secure stable housing, a key factor in overall well-being.

Global anxieties: Fears about climate change, war, and the future create a sense of uncertainty and unease, particularly impacting younger generations who will bear the brunt of these challenges.

Policymakers Urged to Take Action

Experts like Dr. Murthy and Lord Layard, a co-editor of the report, are calling for immediate policy action. Dr. Murthy proposes stricter regulations on social media platforms, potentially limiting features like like buttons and infinite scrolling that are known to be addictive and potentially harmful. Lord Layard emphasizes the importance of prioritizing child well-being, advocating for increased access to mental health support and life skills education in schools.

Hopeful Examples and a Path Forward

The report also highlights nations that have successfully fostered happiness among their citizens. Finland, Denmark, and Iceland consistently rank at the top of the happiness scale. These countries prioritize factors like social trust, security, affordable opportunities for self-expression, and relatively equal income distribution.

The decline in youth happiness is a global wake-up call. By addressing the root causes and taking concrete steps to improve the lives of young people, we can pave the way for a brighter and happier future for all.