Fomo (Fear of missing out)
by: Laraib Hashmi
“Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) is an all-consuming feeling that is associated with mental and emotional stress. Such strains are caused by a compulsive concern that one is missing an opportunity for a socially rewarding experience often spotted on social media networks.
FOMO is entirely based on comparing one’s self with others. These kinds of comparisons are entirely unhealthy and insatiable. No matter how much knowledge or experience you gain, there will always be someone who has more and you will be left feeling inadequate.
The reason for this is we often make the mistake of thinking there are only two people in the world: You, and everyone else. While this entirely false, it’s an easy pit to fall into and leads to FOMO and feelings that we can never measure up to where everyone who is not us is at.
As the world has become more connected, an unusual sense of anxiety has become part of our everyday life. An example would be when scrolling through social media and seeing pictures of friends on vacation or seeing pictures of people in our social network achieving accomplishments that we were not part of. This feeling is defined as FOMO (fear of missing out). Research verifies what many of us believe – that it is not just an inconvenience; but rather a true psychological issue that has a measurable effect on our well-being.
FOMO is a term that refers to the anxiety that we feel when we see that other people are enjoying themselves and we are not. The term was first coined in 2004, but with the rise of social media, has become part of our everyday vocabulary. What makes FOMO different today compared to traditional envy or jealousy, is that it is experienced in real-time rather than weeks or months later with regard to news reports about others’ experiences (i.e., when we see it happen in real-time) and that they present themselves in a well-prepared or artificially-enhanced manner that increases their desirability.
## What does the research tell us ?
Research conducted within the field of psychology has identified a number of factors that lead to the development of this modern-day syndrome. One of those factors is the impact of FOMO on various aspects of our lives, as reported in several articles published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, as well as Cyberpsychology, The Journal of Media Psychology, and such. Studies consistently indicate that people who suffer from FOMO are more likely to experience.
But the relationship is two-sided. Researchers have found that FOMO itself increases social media engagement. This creates a cycle where the platform causing our anxiety also seems to provide a solution. We log on to see what we’re missing, only to find more chances for comparison.
A particularly concerning discovery from 2023 research is the link between FOMO and mental health. Studies show that higher FOMO levels are connected to more symptoms of anxiety and depression, along with lower life satisfaction. The reason seems to be social comparison. Constantly measuring our lives against others’ highlight reels leaves us feeling inadequate.
Perhaps most alarmingly, FOMO affects people of all ages. While it was primarily studied in teens and young adults—who are often deep into social media—researchers now see significant FOMO effects in older adults too. The fear of missing out on family gatherings, job opportunities, or retirement experiences can weigh them down just as much.
## The Psychology Behind the Pain
Why does FOMO hit so hard? A few psychological factors come together to disrupt our peace.
First, there’s the **scarcity heuristic**—our brains focus more on what we lack than what we have. Social media algorithms take advantage of this by showing us the content most likely to trigger that feeling.
Second, **uncertainty** plays a part. Unlike clear threats, the “something” we’re scared of missing remains unclear and undefined, making it hard to deal with directly. Our minds fill this gap with worst-case scenarios.
Third, **loss aversion** ensures that the pain of missing out
