Background: It seems that happiness has lost its meaning and sources in the digital world. As defined in Positive Psychology, the vision of happiness combines pleasure, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments. Aristotle defined a happy life as good in which a person excellently fulfills human nature. Rationale: the fact that humans in the present times are surrounded by virtual realities. Happiness is not untouched by virtual winds. It is alarming to accept and live in times when sadness and happiness would be slaves of virtual platforms. Given the present context, this study is more like a reality check on whether happiness is determined by virtual or real factors that govern the family and society. Sample: The present study comprises 60 participants (male and female) with the age range of 18-25 through convenience sampling. Tools: A semi-structured interview was conducted with the help of five questions intended to understand the nature, cause, and core factors that determine happy and sad episodes. Design: The present study has employed exploratory design. Results: The first theme was indicative that happiness for emerging adults is defined as "successfully achieving the desired goals." The identified themes were factors determining happiness, i.e., spending time with family/friends, appreciation in public, reward for hard work, sharing problems with close ones, instilling positive thinking, and effective management of thoughts and expectations. In addition, two themes, i.e., failing to achieve the desired success and ignorant attitude of family and society, were identified as determinants of sadness. Conclusion: The present world is denominated by virtual realities, especially among young adults. Despite this, family and close friends are vital to determining happiness among people. Policy implications: The present research findings can be a milestone in the fast-changing world where false perception is circulated as if virtual happiness is real happiness.