Social media offers new opportunities for business, entertainment, and connection. But it also comes with risks and dangers. One phenomenon that social media didn’t create but may have amplified is FOMO. FOMO stands for “fear of missing out.” It describes the worry that other people are enjoying rewarding experiences without you.
Teenagers today are perhaps at a greater risk of FOMO than earlier generations were thanks to the widespread use of social media. Belonging matters deeply to many teens, which can make feeling excluded particularly upsetting.
FOMO can have several concerning impacts on the well-being and social lives of teenagers, who may need parental guidance for detoxing from their digital habits. This article will cover this issue by discussing:
The term “FOMO” was coined in 2004 to describe an experience people were encountering on social networking websites. FOMO is a combination of feeling left out or excluded, while wanting to belong. It can arise, for example, when someone observes their friends or acquaintances on social media at a party and wishes they were there too.[1]
Another key aspect of FOMO is the actions someone may take to maintain a feeling of social connectedness. Someone may repeatedly check social media to stay in the loop, even when doing so makes them unhappy.[1]
FOMO is a relatively new concept, so it hasn’t received as much clinical attention as better-known conditions like social anxiety or depression. However, experts have associated it with problematic use of social media.[1]
Although social media offers opportunities for connectivity and entertainment, its widespread use has given rise to issues like social media addiction. This is characterized by excessive screen time, compulsive checking in, and adverse effects on real-life responsibilities and relationships.[2]
Social media FOMO in teens may be accompanied by symptoms of social media addiction, such as feeling anxious when they’re not online or unable to be online.[2]
Fear of missing out can feel particularly painful during adolescence, when friendships and belonging are especially important. Plus, teenagers are perhaps at greater risk of FOMO than other age groups due to how common it is for them to use social media platforms.
Psychologists define FOMO as a “pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent.”[1] This worry can arise without seeing a post about any particular party or event.
This definition highlights that it can be an ongoing feeling that others are having a good time and that you’re not. It might occur as a passing feeling, or develop into a longer-term state of mind that leads someone to feel continually lonely, socially inferior, and perhaps angry.[1]
Some psychologists have linked FOMO anxiety to unmet social relatedness needs. This means that teenagers who feel more lonely, deprived of social connection, or socially anxious may be at greater risk of feeling FOMO.[1]
Crucially, FOMO is driven by a healthy motivation to feel socially connected. That suggests that helping teens find satisfying ways to connect with others may help them manage these feelings.[1]
Social media can intensify FOMO by continually showing us what other people are doing. Social media gives us a seemingly intimate (though usually highly edited) insight into other people’s lives, and that must be factored into our understanding of FOMO.[1]
It can be difficult to identify FOMO in a teen without speaking to them. Many of FOMO’s signs and symptoms overlap with other issues like social media addiction, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
However, FOMO can certainly impact the personal, social, and general well-being of teens. Here’s what you can look out for:
FOMO can drive repeated attempts to stay connected, such as constantly checking messages and posts. Some experts describe these as “compulsive.” That means it can feel irresistible to check and engage with others on social media. Teens may experience a vicious cycle of feeling digital FOMO and compulsive checking.[1]
It’s sometimes necessary to take a break from social media, but detoxing from digital life may cause anxiety for teens who have become dependent on it. So, one way to potentially identify social media FOMO in teens is if they struggle when taking a break from being online.
Another sign of fear of missing out on social media is a teen’s need for validation. They may have a distorted sense of self, and an online identity seems to offer the validation necessary.[1]
However, you may also be able to spot this outside of their digital life. Needing validation might look like reassurance seeking and obsessing over their appearance or other aspects of the way they present themselves to the world.
There’s also a link between FOMO and depression. The cycle of FOMO can negatively impact a teen’s self-esteem and is associated with the emergence of depressive symptoms.[1] So, things like low mood and a lack of engagement with previous hobbies could signify a teen is struggling online.
Social withdrawal can be another indicator, as research has found young people with FOMO may ignore their peer relationships.[1] This can also signify social media addiction, whereby a teen avoids their personal, educational, and professional obligations in favor of using social media.[2]
Another related idea is “phubbing,” a term that means using one’s phone while in conversation with someone in real life. Teens might do this at the dinner table, for example. This can increase when a teen is experiencing FOMO.[3]
There may also be some social media peer pressure linked to FOMO. Some research has linked FOMO with negative alcohol-related consequences, although this does not establish that FOMO causes risky behavior.[1] It could be that experimenting with drugs and alcohol feels like a way to ‘fit in’ for teens struggling with FOMO.[1]
A problematic relationship with social media is associated with a range of negative consequences on general well-being, including:[1]
Furthermore, FOMO can exacerbate the mental health risks already associated with social media use. These include stress, anxiety, and depression.[4] Symptoms of these mental health conditions may indicate feelings of FOMO in your teen, but they can also stem from other issues.
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Managing FOMO in teens requires gentleness and encouragement from parents. But sometimes, the divide between parents and teens can feel huge. That’s why understanding the problem is such a crucial first step in overcoming it.
Once teens and their caregivers understand the problem, they can work together to make changes. Here’s some guidance for both of these steps.
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Los Angeles & San Diego areas.
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If your teen is struggling with social media FOMO and resulting mental health issues, support is available. At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we offer tailored treatment programs to help manage concerns with problematic social media use.
We incorporate evidence-based therapeutic approaches and innovative interventions to foster sustainable change for adolescents and their families. Whether your teen could benefit from residential treatment at one of our locations or something more flexible, like an outpatient mental health program delivered virtually, our team can help.
Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
Learn about our admissions process online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Reach out for a free, no-obligation conversation.
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