In a time when mental health challenges loom large for the youngest generation of adults, emerging research—and the experiences of a select group of American “Zoomers”—suggests that saying “yes” to religion and family, while putting limits on social media, may be the keys to a happier life. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, young Americans aged 18 to 29 ranked just 62nd in overall wellbeing out of 140 countries surveyed for self-reported life satisfaction—significantly lower than the broader U.S. adult population, which placed 24th. However, interviews with young adults who defy this downward trend highlight a set of unexpectedly traditional solutions: nurturing spiritual ties, investing in close familial relationships, and unplugging from the social media treadmill (NY Post).
This news matters deeply to Thai readers because similar patterns have begun to surface among Thai youth, with growing concern about social media use, mental health, and shifting family dynamics. In ASEAN, Thailand is among the leaders in social media engagement, with youth spending hours daily on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (Statista). At the same time, reports of youth anxiety, depression, and feelings of meaninglessness are on the rise—a trend mirroring U.S. findings. With the strong presence of Buddhism, family ties, and evolving youth culture in Thailand, examining this research offers valuable insights and actionable guidance.
Key findings from the article—and corroborated by broader mental health literature—show that Generation Zers who are notably happier tend to intentionally restrict their social media use. The average Zoomer reportedly spends up to 75% of their day absorbing digital content, but those thriving describe strategies such as disabling non-essential notifications, enforcing “phone-free” gatherings, or taking regular social media “detox” periods to regain focus and emotional balance. One young American, living with a mobility impairment since birth, credits this strategy and his focus on literature and writing with sustaining his positivity: “I try to stay inside in my own head more than listen to the external noise… I can get lost to the world for several hours of the day at a time,” he explained.
Another Gen Z university student described the ritual of stacking phones during meals, with the first to reach for their device paying a forfeit, as a way to encourage genuine connection. Others highlighted journaling, gratitude exercises, and spending time outdoors as ways to avoid the “bed rotting”—a term for inactive, screen-based self-care—for which their peers are now known.
A striking point uniting nearly all of these content young adults is the centrality of religion. One interviewee spoke of her father’s role as a pastor: “My faith has ebbed and flowed and changed a lot as I’ve grown up, but it’s always been consistently there for me to fall back on.” For another, Christianity served as both a source of comfort in overcoming adversity and an antidote to the nihilism sometimes perceived in their generation: “The idea that I’m here for a purpose keeps me from falling into the generational nihilism.”
Community and family connections also surfaced as core pillars of happiness. One respondent attributed her lack of depression and anxiety to her religious upbringing and described her early marriage and motherhood as increasing her sense of meaning: “So much of my day is to help others, to take care of my family, to take care of my baby. I think the number one problem in my generation is a lack of meaning.”
Scientific literature and data offer further context for these trends. Multiple studies have drawn connections between excessive social media use and increased levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and poor sleep in adolescents and young adults (PubMed). Conversely, regular engagement in religious or spiritual practices, strong family support, and frequent face-to-face social interaction are robust predictors of life satisfaction and resilience (PubMed). The World Happiness Report itself highlights that social support, trust, and a sense of purpose are correlated with higher happiness across all age groups (World Happiness Report 2025).
For Thailand, these findings resonate on many levels. Thailand’s youth are among the heaviest users of social media in Southeast Asia, with average daily usage surpassing four hours per day for those aged 16-24 (Statista). Local mental health experts have linked this behavior to rises in anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying among Thai teens (Bangkok Post). At the same time, Thailand’s strong Buddhist tradition, emphasis on mindfulness, and close-knit family structures provide protective buffers that could inspire region-specific solutions. “Mindfulness practices from Buddhist teachings could be effectively harnessed for digital wellness programs among youth,” a lecturer from a leading Thai university has suggested in recent local media.
However, there is evidence that modernization and Westernization are challenging traditional Thai family and religious life, especially in major cities. Some teens report feeling distanced from their families due to work and educational pressures, and urbanization has contributed to looser community ties. A 2022 UNICEF survey found that nearly half of Thai adolescents feel “lonely some or all the time” (UNICEF Thailand), with social media cited as both a contributor to and a coping strategy for loneliness. Religious participation among youth, while still high compared to many Western countries, is reportedly declining especially in urban areas (Pew Research Center).
The article’s insights offer both comfort and challenge for Thailand. On one hand, the very supports that seem to protect happy American Gen Zers—regular spiritual or religious engagement, strong family bonds, active time away from screens—have deep roots in Thai society. Indeed, the practice of making merit, participating in temple activities, and mutual care within families are long-recognized in Thai culture as sources of strength and happiness. Moreover, community involvement—whether through religious, cultural, or sporting groups—remains a crucial counterweight to digital alienation.
On the other hand, the research underscores the urgency of adapting these traditions to the needs of modern Thai youth, who are growing up in an era of unprecedented digital immersion and social comparison. Initiatives such as “Digital Detox” Buddhist meditation retreats, school-based mindfulness training, or regulated “no phone” family meals have been piloted in parts of Thailand with some early success (Bangkok Post). Mental health professionals have also advocated for workshops to help young people develop critical media literacy skills and emotional resilience in the face of online negativity.
Looking ahead, experts advise a balanced approach. Denying the digital world is neither realistic nor helpful; rather, cultivating intentional and mindful use of technology may yield better results. Drawing on both Western and local data, a Thai psychiatrist based at a government hospital notes, “What matters is not just the number of hours spent online, but the quality of offline connections and the sense of meaning in one’s life. Family rituals, religious festivals, and shared meals can provide that, even for busy families.”
For policymakers, educators, and parents in Thailand, these findings point to tangible next steps. Schools can weave social-emotional learning and digital wellness curricula into their teaching; communities can create more youth-friendly religious and cultural programs; parents can model healthy phone use and revive meaningful traditions at home. For young people themselves, practices like journaling gratitude, pursuing offline hobbies, reaching out to family elders, and experimenting with short-term social media “fasts” may offer an accessible start toward reclaiming joy and purpose.
As globalization and technology reshape the landscape of Thai youth culture, remembering the enduring sources of happiness—connection, community, contemplation—can offer a guiding light. The experiences of their global peers serve as a timely reminder that sometimes, the oldest remedies still work best in a new world.