It’s just another random night. You’re lying in bed, scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, minding your own business. Suddenly, your friend’s story pops up — they’re out having fun, while you’re just there, eating chips in the dark. If you’ve ever looked at those stories and thought, ‘I should be there’, while feeling a tiny bit jealous, congratulations, you’ve got FOMO. FOMO stands for “Fear of missing out.” It’s the feeling of anxiety or insecurity you get when you think others are having fun or having better experiences without you. Especially in the age we live in, FOMO is more noticeable than ever. Experts say FOMO has become especially common among teenagers and university students. When young people constantly compare their everyday lives to the highlight reels, they see online, it can lead to stress, low self-esteem, and even isolation, researchers argue, highlighting the emotional impact of social media on young individuals. FOMO isn’t just about social media; it’s deeply tied to the need to belong. But since Gen Z grew up in a digital world, they feel it most strongly through online platforms — which is why FOMO often shows itself this way today. FOMO’s symptoms include constantly checking social media, overthinking about what others are doing, feeling unable to enjoy the moment, and saying yes to plans just to avoid feeling left out. If you’ve got FOMO, the first step is realizing you have it. Then, it’s time to create your own fun and escape the phone-scroll spiral. Start noticing the real world again — like enjoying the little things. Maybe it’s eating chips in the dark and savoring the crumbs on your fingers (or wiping them off like a classy human). Either way, romanticize that!
References:
- Arslan, E. (2022). Üniversite öğrencilerinde FOMO (gelişmeleri kaçırma korkusu) düzeyinin sosyal medya bağımlılığına etkisi. IBAD Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 36, 714–728. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ibadergi/issue/72376/1130975
- Büyük Anadolu Hastaneleri. (n.d.). FOMO sendromu (Fear of Missing Out) nedir, kimlerde görülür ve neden olur? Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.buyukanadoluhastanesi.com/haber/2173/fomo-sendromu-fear-of-missing-out-nedir-kimlerde-gorulur-ve-neden-olur
