Missing Out, Missing Life: The Unseen Consequences of Social Media's FoMO Culture

Social media use has been linked to negative mental health outcomes (Vannucci et al., 2017). This outcome, such as "fear of missing out," or a desire to not only keep up with what others are doing, but also to believe that others' experiences are more interesting than one's own (Przybylski et al., 2013).

According to some, FoMO is "a fundamental human motivation that consists in craving interpersonal attachments'' (Bachnio & Przepirka, 2018, p. 514). Attachment needs lead to a fear of social exclusion, which is linked to actual felt suffering (Lai et al., 2016). Stress, problematic phone use, depression, negativity, and anxiety have all been associated with FoMO (Elhai et al., 2016)

Indeed, according to Permata, Rahaju, and Yunanto (2023), the acronym FoMO represents "Fear of Missing Out." It is the term for the uneasy or fearful feeling that something fascinating or thrilling might be happening somewhere right now; it is frequently sparked by social media posts. People who suffer from FoMO may feel driven to keep themselves informed and connected to others, which can result in a fear of being left out or passing up fulfilling opportunities. People who are afraid of missing out on social events or encounters may use social media and smartphones excessively in an attempt to stay connected.

FoMO, or Fear of Missing Out syndrome, has numerous components, according to Przybylski et al (2013), which are as follows:

1. Self. This psychological requirement is linked to competence and autonomy. Competence refers to an individual's belief in his or her capacity to behave effectively and efficiently, whereas autonomy refers to an individual's ability to make decisions. Individuals tend to channel through the internet to receive various types of information and interact with other people if their psychological need for self is not met.
2. Relatedness. It is necessary for someone to continually feel linked, integrated, and together with other people. When a person's relatedness needs are not addressed, he or she will become concerned and seek out the experiences and activities of others, such as through the internet.

Przybylski et al (2013), the scale includes ten assertions for which respondents rate themselves from 1 ("not at all true of me") to 5 ("extremely true of me"). They are as follows:

1. I'm afraid that some have had more satisfying encounters than I have.
2. I'm afraid my pals have had more fulfilling experiences than I have.
3. When I discover that my pals are having fun without me, I become concerned.
4. When I don't know what my pals are up to, I get anxious.
5. It is critical that I comprehend my friends' "in-jokes."
6. I often wonder if I spend too much time keeping up with current events.
7. It irritates me when I miss an opportunity to see friends.
8. When I'm having a wonderful time, I like to share the specifics online (for example, by updating my status).
9. It concerns me when I miss a planned get-together.
10. When I go on vacation, I keep track of what my pals are up to.

The way a family is structured has a big impact on how teenagers develop a fear of missing out (FoMO). According to Coninck and Bloemen (2020), teenagers from intact homes have lower levels of FOMO than adolescents from non-intact households. Due to their capacity for social interaction and personal independence, adolescents from non-intact homes may have less FOMO and may rely more on assistance from the outside world. This shows that an adolescent's vulnerability to FOMO is influenced by the parenting style, namely the degree of control and support provided. Furthermore, it has been discovered that having strong parental supervision also reduces internet use and FoMO, however the impact was marginal, suggesting that parental control alone is insufficient to shield teenagers from FoMO. Parenting approaches, particularly the level of support and control, might influence an adolescent's use of social media and, as a result, their experience of FOMO. To assist reduce the development of FoMO in teenagers, parents must strike a balance between offering support and setting appropriate boundaries.

This fear has been reported to have both positive and bad effects on social connection and psychological well-being, and it can promote increased social media use (James A. Roberts & Meredith E. David, 2019). Based on Oberst et al., (2017), the positive benefits associated with social media use may drive compulsive checking behaviors and excessive use of social media, ultimately compromising psychological wellness. While not limited to social media users, FOMO may cause individuals to check their social media feeds more frequently in order to stay up to date on the activities of important ones. However, FoMO is connected with bad sentiments of social connection and psychological well-being. Importantly, new studies and empirical findings appear to imply that FoMO may increase social connection in some settings, in which case it may not be damaging to well-being. In particular,  social media intensity is expected to play an important mediating role between FOMO and both social connection and well-being.

According to Przybylski et al (2013), the following are the consequences of FoMO or Fear of Missing Out syndrome:

1. Individuals are constantly checking social media. If someone comments on their social media account, they will feel glad and even proud, and they have a need to always live and exist at all times in the virtual world.
2. Individuals are always compelled to participate in all activities. FoMO sufferers do so in order to earn acclaim and an inflated sense of self-existence. In reality, by participating in the event, he will not only attend but also attempt to distinguish himself from others. There is a need to record everything he does and attends on his Facebook, Path, Twitter, or Instagram status.
3. Individuals always make their own stage show. FoMO sufferers demonstrate that social media is a stage for them to provide a different and unique impression than other users.
4. Individuals are continuously aware of their deficiencies and want for more. People with FoMO seek acknowledgment in the online realm in part because of self-estrangement in the offline world. However, while someone is still feeling alienated in the online world, destructive tendencies emerge, such as attempting to disturb other users or even creating bogus profiles in order to hack other accounts.

FoMO is exacerbated by social media's continual access to other people's lives. People only share the highlights of their life on social media, giving the impression that their lives are less engaging (Przybylski et al., 2013). People and businesses spread FoMO by persuading their followers not to "miss out." Although social media allows for increased access to FoMO triggers, hearing about lost opportunities from peers induces equivalent FoMO (Milyavskaya et al., 2018). Browne (2023), so, while social media may not inherently induce more FoMO than previous modes of communication, it does distribute FoMO to a greater number of individuals due to its ease of usage. The essential ideas are that social media facilitates FoMO by providing ongoing access to controlled lifestyles we aren't living, and the urge for belonging promotes continued use, yet discontinuity recalls social rejection, hence initiating the FoMO cycle.

References

Permata, B., Rahaju, S., & Yunanto, T. A. R. (2023). Phubbing in Millennial Generation: The