Opinion:
Fear of missing out creates a self-reinforcing cycle of anxiety and engagement
OPINION: The problem with digital interaction is not that it leads to social isolation. Rather, the FoMO syndrome creates an unhealthy mental cost of social media.
Published
There is a popular narrative that digital interaction inherently leads to social isolation. However, in a recent study we conducted, we found something quite different: There was no significant correlation between time spent on social media and feelings of loneliness.
Instead, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) emerged as a critical factor influencing social media habits. This challenges the narrative that digital interaction inherently leads to social isolation.
Fear of missing out intensifies social media use
FoMO syndrome, defined as the fear of missing out on socially enjoyable activities, particularly in the online space, is considered a negative experience for some social media users.
We recommend that universities develop gender-specific digital wellness programs and incorporate FoMO assessment into student counselling services.
This anxiety about potentially missing rewarding experiences showed a significant positive correlation with social media use intensity.
In essence, we found that those who experience stronger FoMO spent more time on digital platforms, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of anxiety and engagement.
Our findings suggest that interventions focusing solely on reducing screen time may be insufficient without addressing the underlying psychological anxiety driving the behaviour.
Women feel a strong urge to stay connected
Perhaps most striking were the gender differences uncovered by the international team. Female university students demonstrated significantly higher social media engagement levels than their male counterparts. The numbers were clear enough to prove not coincidental.
Similarly, females reported experiencing FoMO more intensively than males, suggesting that digital anxiety may manifest differently across genders.
A psychological pattern across cultures
Social media platforms have transformed how we connect – but at what mental health cost?
This question sparked an international research project between Kristiania University of Applied Sciences in Norway and the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Slovakia.
Researchers examined the complex relationship between social media use, loneliness, and the phenomenon of FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) among university students. We found that social media platforms have fundamentally transformed how young people maintain and develop social connections.
Our research focused on three key questions:
- How does social media usage affect feelings of loneliness?
- Are there significant gender differences in digital engagement patterns?
- And what role does FoMO play in driving social media behaviour?
The study surveyed 450 university students across Slovakia using validated measurement tools including the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Social Media Engagement Questionnaire, and the Fear of Missing Out Scale. The results challenged several common assumptions about digital behaviour.
The collaboration between Norway and Slovakia proved especially valuable in establishing the cross-cultural validity of these findings. By working across national boundaries, the researchers could identify which aspects of digital behaviour represent universal psychological patterns and which might be influenced by cultural factors.
How do we support offline social connections?
These findings have important implications for university support services and public health initiatives.
The promotion of balanced engagement patterns, incorporating both online and offline social activities, might help students develop healthier relationships with social media platforms while maintaining the benefits of digital connectivity.
We recommend that universities develop gender-specific digital wellness programmes and incorporate FoMO assessment into student counselling services.
It is important to support offline social connections alongside digital literacy skills to help young people navigate an increasingly connected world without compromising their psychological well-being.
This cross-border research provides valuable insights for anyone seeking to foster healthier relationships with technology – suggesting that understanding our psychological motivations may be just as important as managing our screen time.
References:
- Doktorova, D., El Mghari, S. & Tokovska, M. (2025). Social Media Engagement and Identity: The Loneliness and FoMO Experience of Young People. Communication Today. 16(1) 1-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34135/communicationtoday.2025.Vol.16.No.1.10
- Doktorova, D. & El Mghari, S. (2024). The Paradox of Social Media: Loneliness and Fear of Missing Out in University Students. MARKETING IDENTITY, 86. https://mmidentity.fmk.sk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/MI_2024_ENG.pdf#page=87
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