Col Shiv Choudhary
In today’s hyperconnected world, the term Fear of Missing Out, called ‘FOMO’, has become increasingly prevalent. FOMO reflects a broader societal trend fuelled by social media, digital technology, and societal pressures. Primarily, it is coined to describe the pervasive anxiety individuals experience when they believe they are not participating in rewarding experiences or events over social medias. FOMOhas come a long way since its early days and it has become the driving force behind most of our stress in this technology connected world. Most experts associate it with millennials and social media. Searching for these words together gives us more than 600.000 Google results. The struggle with FOMOis real, and it is hard to beat this syndrome.
OTT survey of Sep 2023 received over 46,000 responses consisting of 62 percent men and 38 percent women from urban Indian parents located in 296 tier 1 to tier 4 districts. Nearly 47 per cent of respondents surveyed shared that their children spent nearly 35 percent time on social media and gaming. 73 per cent of urban Indian parents surveyed want the data protection law to ensure mandatory parental consent for children below 18. Another study published on Science Direct shows that around 210 million people worldwide admit to social media addiction. On a day in Jan 2022, total world urbanisation population (in billions) was 7.91, mobile phone users 5.3, internet users 4.95 and active social media users 4.62. This is the magnitude of this threat called FOMO syndrome.
The curiosity to remain glued to the screens of the smart phones, finger swiping and tapping is not confined to only FOMO Astonishingly, the term FOMO has also inspired many offshoots such as FOBO (Fear of Better Options), FOMOMO (Fear Of the Of Missing Out), MOMO (Mystery Of Missing Out), FOJI (Fear Of Joining In), BROMO (bros” protects from missing out, NEMO (Nearly Missing Out), SLOMO (Slow feelings to Missing Out), JOMO (Joy of Missing Out, FOBIA (Fear of Being Ignored Altogether). These offshoots are not sparing anyone especially with 692 millions Indian using internet against 1050 millions Chinese in Jan 2023.
FOMO can trigger heightened levels of anxiety and stress as individuals constantly compare themselves to others and worry about missing out. This is alarmingly impacting individuals’ health, relationships, and overall well-being leading to chronic mental health, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and overwhelm. FOMO often stems from a pervasive fear of not measuring up to societal standards or the achievements of others which leads to exacerbate feelings of low self-esteem and unwanted comparison.
FOMO can drive individuals to make an attempt to alleviate feelings of anxiety or boredom which manifests in excessive spending, substance abuse, or engaging in risky behaviours and consequences, causing serious ramifications for individuals’ financial, physical, and emotional well-being. Paradoxically, FOMO can also contribute to feelings of social isolation, disconnection and strained relationships as individuals prioritize superficially.
A feelings of loneliness, alienation, and a lack of genuine intimacy sets in leading to depression, anxiety disorders, and even addictive behaviours. The relentless pursuit of validation and excitement can become all-consuming, overshadowing individuals’ ability to find contentment and fulfilment in their own lives. Over a period, it can perpetuate a cycle of dissatisfaction and unhappiness, posing significant risks to long-term mental health and well-being.
Social media platforms provide curated glimpses into the lives of others, fostering comparisons and a sense of inadequacy. Societal emphasis on achievement, success, and social status intensifies the fear of falling behind or missing out on opportunities for personal advancement. Pressure from peers to conform to social norms instils anxiety about being left out. Underlying feelings of insecurity or loneliness can amplify susceptibility to FOMO as individuals seek validation through external experiences. Practically, one wants to do everything and be everywhere through screen. Social media and FOMO go hand in hand and FOMO is other name of social media addiction.
The biggest sources responsible for FOMOsyndrome are the mobile devices and social media providing instant gratification, quick source of information, entertainment, and social interaction at our fingertips. People seek validation and approval through likes, comments, and shares, boosting self-popularity. The fear of missing out on important updates, events, or social interactions drive us to constantly check mobiles feeds. These devices serve as a distraction from boredom, offering a seemingly endless stream of contents. Constant inflow of cues such as notifications, moments of idleness and fresh updates on social media platforms create a sense of urgency leading to constantly keep eyes on mobile devices.
The biggest ills of FOMO to youth encompass a range of psychological, social, and developmental challenges that can significantly impact their well-being and overall quality of life.Poor self-esteem and inadequacy in comparison leads to developing a feelings of inferiority, inadequacy, and low self-esteem. FOMO often distracts young people from appreciating and enjoying the present moment. Instead they may be preoccupied with what they are missing out.
FOMOcan drive young people to engage in impulsive behaviours such as excessive spending, substance abuse, or risky activities to get over feelings of inadequacy with far deeper negative consequences. Feelings of isolation and loneliness are the other adverse impacts as young people prioritize virtual connections over real-life interactions. FOMO can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation and fatigue resulting into exacerbated stress and overall health and well-being.
Young people may struggle as their studies or professional development will suffer due to distractions and the constant need to stay connected, leading to decreased productivity, missed opportunities, and underachievement. FOMOcan interfere with the process of identity formation during adolescence and young adulthood due to constant comparison and the pressure to conform to societal standards. Many young people may also suffer from shallow sense of self over exploring their own interests, values, and passions.
India has one of the largest growing youth populations globally using social media. No formal data is available, however, it is reasonable to assume that FOMO is a discernible concern in India adversely affecting mental health outcomes, increased stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. FOMOis often more pronounced among younger demographics and urban populations. Impulsive behaviour, hasty decisions, strained relationship, diverted attention, meaningless connections, and low involvement are the other effects.
On the contrary, if we can ignore FOMO, several positive outcomes can emerge. Focussing on just what we have, can cultivate a greater sense of contentment and satisfaction. Ignoring FOMO diminishes the constant pressure to keep up with others leading to better mental well-being. Instead of tuning out external distractions and pressures, we can better connect with our own values, interests, aspirations, and what truly matters. One can prioritize meaningful connections and invest in authentic relationships. In the absence of flowing distractions, we can make more considered decisions aligned with our long-term goals and values with greater clarity, and satisfaction.
Ignoring social media can be a challenging, but not impossible. One can always find reasons to reclaim time, focus on goals, health, muting mundane notifications or foster deeper connections offline. Consider implementing “digital detox” days or weekends where you abstain from social media altogether. Be mindful on social media, unfollow accounts or mute notifications from sources that trigger negative emotions or promote unhealthy comparison. Instead, curate your feed to prioritize content that inspires, educates, or uplifts you. Browse over what is productive and engaging in meaningful face-to-face interactions is vital.
Understanding the complex interplay between FOMO, social media usage, and addiction, it is crucial to develop effective strategies to promote digital well-being and mitigate the negative consequences. FOMO syndrome can be overcome through mindfulness, time management, digital detoxes and reducing reliance on social media. Educators, parents, and policymakers can play a crucial role in advocating media literacy education, promoting online safety, and implementing regulations. Share your intention to reduce social media usage with friends, family, support group, and like-minded individuals who expect your online presence.
Embrace the concept of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), recognizing that choosing to prioritize meaningful offline experience over incessant online engagement can lead to greater fulfilment and satisfaction. Practicing mindfulness for personal values, empowering individuals, challenging external pressures, and nurturing meaningful relationship offline, can provide a cure for mitigating FOMO syndrome.
FOMO syndrome specifically poses significant challenges to the students impacting their mental health, relationships, academic and career pursuits, and overall development. This indeed is a complex interplay of societal, technological, and psychological factors, shaping individuals’ perceptions and behaviours in the digital age. By understanding its causes and pitfalls, and coping strategies, youth can navigate the pressures of FOMO more effectively. Understanding the importance of prioritizing, authenticity, mindfulness, and meaningful connections, one can transcend the fear of missing out and embrace the richness of the present moment. Addressing this syndrome requires multi-prongs strategies. It is vital to mind what people would like to receive on their digital devices and how they react to continue or end FOMO syndrome against 66.2 percent of the global population using social media.
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