March 20th is the UN International Day of Happiness

SOCIAL MEDIA & HAPPINESS

This year’s theme explores the relationship between social media and happiness, highlighting the potential challenges for our wellbeing as well as ways we can all use tech for good.

There’s no one “right” way to use social media, but small, thoughtful choices about how we use it and how we treat each other online can make a real difference.

When we act collectively, we can build a happier, kinder world, online and offline.

The association between social media and wellbeing is also the theme of this year’s upcoming World Happiness Report, published on 20 March 2026. In the report, a range of experts will use the latest global data to examine how social media is linked to happiness trends around the world.

LIVE EVENT

Get access to a special live event to celebrate the day and be the first to hear the findings from the World Happiness Report 2026.

Action for Happiness will host a special live event to share the findings from the new World Happiness Report featuring Prof. Jan de Neve, Prof. Jonathan Haidt, Dr Radha Modgil and Dr Mark Williamson.

The event will start at 12pm Pacific / 3pm Eastern / 7pm UK time on Thurs 19 March 2026.

Book Your Place Here

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Here are three ways you can put happiness first and create a healthier, more intentional relationship with social media:

Step 1: Choose

Be mindful of if, when and how much you are on social media.

• Pause and ask yourself, “What do I really want to do right now?” Keep a list of analogue activities you can do instead, like playing music, drawing, gardening or going outside for a walk.

• Set a timer so scrolling is a short snack rather than a wormhole.

• Give your mind space to think, keep the bedroom phone free, try a ‘digital sabbath’.

Step 2: Connect

Don’t let scrolling be a substitute for real connection.

• Phone a friend for a chat, or send some voice notes, instead of scrolling.

• Make plans offline, get excited about your next adventure with loved ones.

• Use social media to connect with supportive friends and communities that are meaningful to you.

Step 3: Curate

Personalise your experience to support your wellbeing.

• Follow plenty of positive accounts - bloom scroll, don’t doom scroll.

• Share and amplify uplifting stories, messages and ideas, be aware of misinformation.

• Be kind in the comments, it matters more than you think.

If you have found this useful, spread the word and encourage others to do the same. Use the hashtag #InternationalDayOfHappiness.

Be a Happiness Champion

If you want to commit to taking action on the day, sign up to be a Happiness Champion and help create a tidal wave of connection and positivity around the world.

Sign up here.

FREE RESOURCES

Together we can create a happier and more sociable world.

Sign up to join Action for Happiness to get access to fantastic free resources and join a friendly community.

Sign up to join the community today to get all this and more for free.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Help create a happier world by joining an inspiring global community and getting great free resources.

“I pledge to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world”