DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
Dutch news & articles
Social media is making millions of Dutch people unhappy
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Social media is making millions of Dutch people unhappy

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

This is what the Netherlands searched for in 2023This is what the Netherlands searched for in 2023
October 2023: 7 things expats in the Netherlands need to knowOctober 2023: 7 things expats in the Netherlands need to know
Why does the Netherlands have such a serious worker shortage?Why does the Netherlands have such a serious worker shortage?
These are the best vegan restaurants in AmsterdamThese are the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam
Dag van de Leraar: Teacher’s Day in the NetherlandsDag van de Leraar: Teacher’s Day in the Netherlands
6 best places to visit in the Netherlands6 best places to visit in the Netherlands
How to save energy at home in the NetherlandsHow to save energy at home in the Netherlands
9 best Christmas markets in the Netherlands9 best Christmas markets in the Netherlands
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemapRSS feeds
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jan 30, 2024
Emily Proctor
Former Editor at IamExpat Media.Read more

2,2 million people who took part in a recent survey say that they feel less happy due to social media use. Most of these users say they have a feeling of missing out or feel a sense of choice stress from being on the internet. 

Millennials and Gen Z have the greatest discontent from social media

According to the study, which was undertaken by research organisation Newcom, the millennial generation (29 to 44 year olds) and Gen Z (15 to 28 year olds) are the most unhappy because of social media use. These are also the two generations that spend the most time on social media.

The study also found that around 4 million people in the Netherlands sometimes consider quitting social media or attempting to reduce their use of platforms. Newcom’s study, which the company says is the largest of its kind in the Netherlands found that 14.3 million Dutch people use social media, an average of almost 2 hours per day, with teenagers from 15 to 19 years old using social media considerably more, at almost 3 hours a day.

Many young people are afraid to miss out 

Lead researcher Tim Jonker told NOS, social media are mainly used to stay informed. "Young people suffer a lot from FOMO , fear of missing out," he says. "They're afraid they'll miss something if they don't scroll all day."

WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn remain the most used platforms and have grown in use. TikTok has also increased to 2.6 million daily users, although growth has levelled off, the researchers write. Snapchat and TikTok remain the most popular social media platforms among young people. 

By Emily Proctor