Summary
A UN-commissioned study finds that youth happiness has declined sharply over the past decade in English-speaking countries.
Traditionally, happiness followed a U-shape, with youth being a peak period, but it now increases with age instead.
Researchers link this shift to social media, cyberbullying, and reduced social interaction.
The mental health crisis may have significant consequences that affect education, workforce participation, and productivity. The UN is investigating whether this trend is a global phenomenon.
A few years ago a right-wing friend was loudly advocating for elimination of child labor laws because “all kids are doing these days is playing video games.” (He’d be maga now.) When I pointed out that would mean children being forced into hazardous jobs - working with restaurant knives and machines or in industrial settings he responded, “That would never be a problem. Insurance companies would never allow it.”
About 25% of the nation would have no problem with kids being forced to work in dangerous conditions and being maimed for life as a result. Just as long it was someone else’s kid.