In terms of youth well-being, there is a global convergence with happier youth in the global south and Europe while North America and Western Europe are coming down. This convergence is due to reducing global inequalities between countries. Factors contributing to the unhappiness of North American and Australian teens include rising inequalities within society, political polarization, technology, specifically social media, where excessive use can negatively impact well-being. Addressing these issues is crucial to improve the well-being of youth in North America.
The US is sliding down the world happiness rankings - but it's the unhappiness of young people that's really dragging down the average. What has happened to make Gen Z so sad? And what can be done to turn the situation around?
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve (director of Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre) has been analyzing the figures for the World Happiness Report. He offers advice to young people and parents, and looks at what happy young Lithuanians can teach the rest of the world.
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