Dr. Laurie Santos explores the surge in depression and loneliness among young people with Dr. Jean Twenge, who has spent years studying how technology shapes adolescent happiness. Together, they unpack findings from the 2026 World Happiness Report.
Key Takeaways:
- Depression and Loneliness Surge: Rates of depression and loneliness have surged among young people over the past decade, with many researchers pointing to the rise of smartphones and social media as a major change.
- Daily Platform Impact: The conversation examines what happens when kids spend hours a day on social media platforms and whether any amount of social media is actually beneficial.
- Healthier Phone Relationships: The episode offers practical guidance on what we can all do to build healthier relationships with our phones, regardless of age.
The Happiness Lab explores the latest scientific research and shares surprising and inspiring stories that challenge how we think about happiness. New episodes usually air every Monday.
