Chile faces critical youth mental health and social media concerns

A recent Ipsos Education Monitor 2026 report identifies Chile as having the most critical perception regarding youth mental health among 31 analyzed nations. Approximately 68% of respondents believe Chilean youth have poor mental health, significantly higher than the global average of 48%. Additionally, 69% of those surveyed believe young people would find better opportunities if they moved abroad.

Regarding technology, there is a notable distinction between the perception of social media and artificial intelligence. While there is broad support for restricting social media use for children under 14, support for banning AI in schools remains lower. In Chile, Law 21.801 will implement regulations regarding social media use starting in the 2026 school year.

In response to OECD data suggesting Chilean 15-year-olds spend over 45 hours a week on social media, academic Patricio Cabello from Universidad Andrés Bello has urged caution. He noted that high connection hours do not automatically equate to problematic or addictive behavior, pointing out that social media addiction is not currently recognized as a formal diagnosis by the World Health Organization or the DSM.