Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Social Media Usage Essay Sample

In this day and age, everyone knows about social media. It has become one of the prime forms of communication not only with friends and family, but the entire world as well. However, with all the information that comes through social platforms, platform users often see events from other places, events they cannot participate in. This creates the phenomenon known as FoMO, or the fear of missing out. In recent times, multiple studies have been performed on the concept of FoMO to find that it is a very real, dangerous type of fear. Social media platforms often exploit FoMO to capture attention, and this has caused many problems physically and psychologically for platform users.

To begin, FoMO is one of the biggest causes of fear and anxiety that social media platforms exploit. “[FoMO] has emerged to describe an individual’s all-consuming sense that others are engaging in rewarding experiences in their absence.” (Adams 2) FoMO, by definition, is an intense fear driven by the knowledge that others are participating in activities that cannot be attended, and social media platforms know that. There are many other unethical ways that platforms draw in users, but exposing and fueling the fear of missing out is one of the most impactful. “Some of FoMO’s common drivers include problematic Internet use - specifically online social networks.” (Hayran 3) Social media platforms know that people will spend more time on the platform if they are driven by the fear that they will miss out on opportunities. With such easy access to these social media accounts, it becomes an endless cycle. “Through digital tools, individuals have access to real-time information about experiences in their environment… Consequently, they are likely to experience an aversive feeling of missing out on known but unattended experiences.” (Hayran 1) Platforms, through formulas, location and recent activity, target users with specific posts, videos, and information about the many opportunities in the surrounding area. This only further drives FoMO, especially if the user is participating in one event and is unable to attend other activities happening at the same time.  This all reveals that social media companies are not afraid to drive fear into the hearts of their users if it means more profit and attention. 

Along with the simple emotion of fear that comes from FoMO, there are so many other mental and even physical side effects that are caused by this fear of missing out. “Moreover, both FoMO and anxiety disorders are inversely correlated with a number of similar negative outcomes, including poor mood, decreased sense of life satisfaction, and dysregulated sleep.” (Adams 3) FoMO itself may be driven by social media and online use, but it can cause real, physical problems to those who are overrun by that constant fear. The fear leaks into one’s daily life, bringing a dangerous, overall dissatisfaction with life. “Social connection is a fundamental human need and feeling excluded may cause detrimental psychological, emotional and behavioral consequences.” (Hayran 5) Social media in and of itself is not a bad thing. It allows people to communicate and work with others from around the world, and in difficult situations gives that social connection humankind so desperately needs. However, when that need is abused by exclusive behavior from others, it causes a chain reaction as other needs become neglected as well. Fear then takes over every part of the human system and can be extremely damaging. “FoMO is associated with increased negative mood, lower life satisfaction, and unmet physiological needs. (Hayran 3) FoMO causes people to view their lives as unsatisfactory, since upon seeing other’s ‘exciting’ lives lowers their ability to appreciate their own. It takes a toll upon one’s mental health as well, as seeing life negatively lowers the ability to enjoy events when other things are constantly occupying the mind. 

In addition to the physical and mental struggles that go hand-in-hand with FoMO, there are many different types of physical, social, and emotional problems that can be caused by the same reaction on social media. "It has been hypothesized that people with greater FoMO may be more vigilant towards notifications, and because some of their attention resources are occupied, this may result in more distractions and poorer concentration.” (Rozgonjuk 1) FoMO can cause lowered focus in daily activities, a shorter attention span to things that aren’t of as much importance in the user’s mind. In extreme situations, FoMO can erase focus all together as the fear becomes the one and only thing of importance. “Bivariate analyses showed that severity of all social networks use disorders were positively correlated with FoMO and social media’s negative impact on daily life and productivity at work.” (Rozgonjuk) FoMO can impact a person’s whole life, from daily activities to working. It can lower a person’s ability to concentrate on the task at hand, as they are constantly vigilant for a notification, a sound, or any indicator that something might be happening without them. “When making commitment decisions, individuals may compare what is at hand with available alternatives, which might influence their intentions to stay or to leave the status quo.” (Hayran 5) FoMO not only impacts a person’s daily life, but it can change the way they make decisions. This is a huge impact of FoMO, because one might make decisions based entirely around what they have seen on social media in hopes to prevent any regret. Often, however, this can end up backfiring and cause more regret.

Just like all things in life, social media is a great thing in moderation. Too much attention on others' lives can cause destruction to one’s mental and physical health, and can even change the way a person reacts and thinks. FoMO is an unhealthy fear that can overtake all other aspects of life, and social media platforms use this fear on a daily basis to keep users hooked. Though fear itself can be a normal, even healthy emotion, once it becomes so overwhelming that it completely alters one’s ability to live, think, and decide, it becomes the trigger for disaster.