Digital welfare or hidden price: short videos, happiness, and the digital Inclusion

There is an ongoing debate about whether digital technologies deliver welfare gains or introduce hidden costs. Evidence on the welfare effects of rapidly growing short-video platforms, especially for digitally disadvantaged groups in China is limited. This study examines the association between short-video use and subjective happiness using the China Family Panel Studies 2020–2022 panel ( N = 22,282). Employing two-way fixed-effects models and multiple robustness tests, we find that moderate short-video use is associated with higher self-reported happiness. Heterogeneity analysis shows stronger impact for digitally disadvantaged groups, including rural residents especially seniors, older adults especially without companion and less-educated. Mechanism tests point to emotional companionship and social trust, driven by enhanced information access. These findings suggest that short videos may serve as a low-cost means to promote happiness and digital inclusion.