FOMO Sapiens. How does the fear of missing out affect our lives and how can we deal with it?

What is FOMO?

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) syndrome is the fear of omission, losing an opportunity, or falling out of circulation. This condition concerns various forms of human activity and manifests itself, for example, in fear of absence from a concert, meeting, or cultural event. Since the popularity of social networks has increased, the phenomenon has been associated with the need to be up-to-date in activities undertaken by other internet users.

Popular virtual spaces, such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, trigger the need to constantly track the information shared by other users. This can lead to debilitating jealousy or negatively affect self-confidence. Research indicates that the most vulnerable to this type of addiction are young people who do not know the world without new media.

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Fear of closing the gate — a long history of FOMO

The concept of a sense of missing out is not only characteristic of the internet age. In the Middle Ages, the fear of losing opportunities was called Torschlusspanik, which means panic because of a closing gate. The term refers to the anxiety that peasants may have experienced when they hurried back to the gates of the city before closing them at dusk. Staying outside the defensive walls meant exposure to cold, attack by wild animals, or attack by an enemy.

And while such a situation now seems unlikely, Torschlusspanik is still very topical. The gates to which modern man is rushing in panic are virtual. Remaining outside of them poses a threat to the mental health of people who are particularly susceptible to this type of addiction. It can be concluded that Torschlusspanik and FOMO result from a lack of satisfaction with the need for belonging. Modern man, like their ancestors, escapes to places known and safe, accessible on a smartphone. However, as in medieval cities, new dangers lie in wait for them there.

FOMO in scientific research

The first definition of FOMO was formulated by Dan Herman, who, in the mid-1990s, began to study this kind of fear. The researcher described the syndrome as a concern over not taking advantage of all the available chances that may arise in life. The phenomenon of modern digital culture has led to the fear of missing opportunities being linked to internet access and even internet addiction. In 2013, a team of researchers under Andrew K. Przybylski’s direction developed 10 questions with the answers measured by a five-point Likert scale. It allows one to determine the level of FOMO risk. 

Since then, several other diagnostic tools have been created. The group of respondents has also expanded significantly. Initially, mainly teenagers were considered. Over time, it has been noticed that the syndrome also occurs among adults. It is estimated that impulsive browsing of web resources or constant online presence on social networks is becoming one of many unfavorable employee habits, exposing employers to measurable losses. 

Anxiety, age, and gender

Young people are most susceptible to FOMO syndrome due to the greater and easier access to social media. In recent years, the percentage of people who are highly “FOMOed” has increased significantly among teenagers, i.e. those who feel the constant compulsion to be online. In addition, they are accompanied by a concern of lack of access to the internet and current information.

However, most researchers believe that age and gender do not affect the fear of missing out. Most of the data on the FOMO risk scale comes from youth studies. Hence the misconception that this problem is most relevant to this generation. Meanwhile, the destructive use of social networks can affect people of all ages. 

How does FOMO manifest itself and what does it lead to?

“FOMO sapiens” have a serious problem with disconnecting from the virtual world. Their thoughts are focused on the events that take place on the internet. This causes difficulties with focusing on daily activities and can also lead to negligence in private and professional life. Symptoms exacerbate when network use is constricted or impossible. These people experience a high level of anxiety at the very thought of not having access to a phone.

They use the internet in almost every situation: During meals, at school, before bedtime, and immediately after waking up, as well as while driving or crossing the road. FOMO has a significant impact on interpersonal relationships. The constant need to “be online” results in the loss of contact with real people, which over the long haul may manifest itself in the deterioration of quality of life, loneliness and mental illnesses. Studies have also shown that people suffering from anxiety about falling out of circulation stop controlling time spent online, feel overloaded with information, and often withdraw from real life.  

From FOMO to JOMO

The antidote to FOMO may be a digital detox, i.e. resignation from electronic devices for a specified period. It is necessary to set a realistic goal that will be achieved with a motivating success. This approach is referred to as JOMO (Joy of Missing out) and means a sense of joy from escaping the avalanche of information. It is the practice of eliminating too many stimuli from the environment, focusing on the present, and feeling pleasure from real life. This idea refers to popular mindfulness techniques, slow life, and minimalism. At the same time, it is expected to encourage care for rest and proper relationships and ensure digital well-being. 

Is there a rescue for “FOMO sapiens”?

JOMO is the complete opposite of FOMO and is not always possible to implement. Therefore, it is worth considering what generates fear of falling out of circulation. One of the main reasons is unmet needs. Therefore, one should take proper care of their well-being. It is also good to focus on building and caring for relationships, especially those in the real world. Contacts with other people satisfy a wide range of needs, such as a sense of belonging, closeness, understanding, and appreciation.

It turns out that it is helpful to develop new forms of competence, such as maintaining healthy online habits. One can start by adding a more positive context to the displayed content, or by removing some people from one’s contacts on the internet. However, when thoughts about the lack of access to important information cause concern, difficulty in focusing, and especially anxiety, it is worth consulting a specialist.

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Translation: Marcin Brański