Reading - The Decline of Youth Happiness: A Modern Crisis

Read the text and complete the activities below.

While Finland consistently secures the top position in the World Happiness Report, the United States has slipped to 23rd place. However, the most concerning data involves the younger generation. In English-speaking nations like the U.S., Canada, and Australia, happiness levels for those aged 15 to 24 have plummeted, ranking significantly lower than older age groups in the same countries.

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a leading expert in well-being research, describes this sharp decline as "falling off a cliff." One major culprit identified by researchers is the digital revolution. Since English was the primary language of the early internet, youth in the "Anglosphere" were among the first to adopt smartphones and social media. The correlation is striking: teenage girls spending over five hours a day on social media report much lower life satisfaction compared to those with limited screen time. With the average American teen now spending nearly six hours daily on these apps, the psychological toll is undeniable.

But social media isn't the only ingredient in what experts call a "toxic cocktail" of modern stressors. Other factors play a vital role, such as the high consumption of ultra-processed foods, which can interfere with emotional stability. Furthermore, there is a visible weakening of social infrastructure; young people today report having fewer reliable friendships and thinner family connections than previous generations. This, combined with systemic anxieties regarding the climate crisis, housing costs, and political tension, creates a heavy burden for the under-25s. To improve well-being, experts suggest a simple but effective shift: choose physical movement and face-to-face interaction over the endless digital scroll.

Source & Further Reading: CNBC

ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option for each question based on the text.

1. How does the happiness of young Americans compare to the overall national ranking?

A) It is exactly the same as Finland's.

B) It is much higher than the average.

C) It is significantly lower than the general population's rank.

2. What is mentioned as a reason for the fast adoption of technology in the "Anglosphere"?

A) The dominance of the English language online.

B) Lower costs of electronic devices.

C) Better internet infrastructure.

3. According to the text, what is the "psychological toll" of social media?

A) It helps 15-year-old girls make more friends.

B) It is linked to lower life satisfaction with high usage.

C) It makes people better at multitasking.

4. Which of these is NOT mentioned as a component of the "toxic cocktail"?

A) Increasing costs of travel and tourism.

B) Ultra-processed diets.

C) Lack of physical exercise.

5. What is the final advice given by experts to improve well-being?

A) Delete all social media accounts permanently.

B) Move to Finland to be happier.

C) Prioritize real-life connections and exercise.

Exercise 2: True, False, or Not Given

Decide if the statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG) according to the text.

1. Finland has lost its position as the world's happiest country.

True

False

Not Given

2. In the U.S., young people are currently less happy than older generations.

True

False

Not Given

3. Scientists believe that food quality can affect how well people regulate their emotions.

True

False

Not Given

4. Social media companies are trying to reduce the time teens spend on their apps.

True

False

Not Given

5. Younger people nowadays feel they have fewer friends they can depend on.

True

False

Not Given

Exercise 3: Gap Fill (Vocabulary in Context)

Type the correct word to complete each sentence. The words will be crossed out as you type them correctly.

Well-being   |   Infrastructure   |   Plummeted   |   Adoption   |   Toll

1. After the news was released, the public's confidence in the economy .

2. Taking a walk in nature can have a very positive impact on your general .

3. The heavy workload started to take a physical on his health.

4. The country needs to invest more in its social to support lonely citizens.

5. The widespread of new technology often happens faster among younger people.