Fear Of Missing out(FOMO): Weighing The True Impact in a Social Media Age

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of everyday life. Along with this technological advancement, a phenomenon known as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) has emerged. The phrase FoMO was coined by Patrick J. McGinnis as a sufferer of FoMO in 2013 when Patrick was studying at Harvard University. At that time Patrick felt that he did not know the latest news from his other friends who followed the trend. So from this feeling Patrick J. McGinnis began to write a lot about FoMO. Patrick J. McGinnis, the originator of FoMO, reveals 2 definitions of FoMO through his book. First, FoMO is an unwanted sense of anxiety that arises from the perception of other people's experiences being more satisfying than one's own, usually through exposure to social media. Second, it is social pressure that arises from feeling excluded from an event, or excluded from a positive or memorable collective experience. According to research (Przybylski et al, 2013), it is written that Fear of Missing Out is the fear that individuals feel when they are not aware of other people's interesting experiences or activities. Many argue that FOMO has a significant negative impact on an individual's mental health and well-being, which is exacerbated by excessive social media use. However, is it true that FOMO is always harmful? Evidence suggests that the impact is more complex than it seems, with some potential benefits worth considering.

First, let's review the psychological and emotional impact of FOMO. Many studies, such as a study from the University of Essex, show that individuals with high levels of FOMO are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Feelings of falling behind others or not taking part in important activities can increase stress and anxiety levels. In addition, comparing oneself to others who appear happier or more successful can reduce life satisfaction. However, some researchers argue that a little stress and anxiety can be a motivation to improve oneself and achieve goals. In this context, FOMO can be an incentive to pursue new opportunities and participate in activities that can improve well-being.

Second, the role of social media in amplifying FOMO is often criticized. FoMO actually existed before social media and technology were as vibrant as they are now. However, the combination of FoMO with the emergence of the internet, information openness, and advanced technology makes FoMO even more prevalent. FoMO is not limited to things on social media, but social media also makes FoMO worse. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that social media algorithms are designed to display content that triggers FOMO, such as other people's achievements and happy moments. Social media often displays the best version of a person's life, which doesn't always reflect their reality, and these platforms fuel the need to stay connected and up to date. According to (Sugiharto, 2016) Social media is also one of the most popular means of communication today, with teenagers as the largest users in Indonesia. One of the reasons teenagers are currently the majority of social media users is because they are teenagers and early adults who were born and grew up with the rapid development of information and the digital era. The following is data on social media that is often used.

The phenomenon of FoMO in adolescents to early adults in Indonesia can be seenwith the data regarding the results of a data survey by Taylor Nelson Sofrens (TNS) in Indonesia, which is 39% of mobile phone users in Indonesia are controlled by among teenagers aged 16-21 years. One example of the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) phenomenon that has a negative impact on teenagers through social media.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YzXqRD2Vx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

In the picture above is a beautiful model named Madalyn Davis who died falling from a cliff in Sydney as high as 30 meters. Madalyn climbed to the top of the cliff initially wanting to capture a selfie moment of herself. Madalyn climbed over the fences to sit at the edge of the cliff to see the sunrise, this could have happened because Madalyn was affected by the FoMO phenomenon where Madalyn wanted to capture her vacation and upload it to her social media. Given Madalyn's status as a model, she usually has a large social media following and demands to post nice and fun things often. However, tragic things happened because she was not vigilant and only cared about social media.

Third, FOMO is often cited as a disruptor of productivity and focus. Studies show that distractions from social media notifications and the desire to always be connected can reduce an individual's ability to focus and complete tasks. Excessive social media use and feelings of FOMO can lead to ongoing distractions, reducing effectiveness and efficiency. However, some people find that using social media as a short break from work can help them feel more refreshed and re-motivated. In this case, good time management and self-control are key to capitalizing on these benefits without getting stuck in the FOMO cycle.