Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Social Media Use among University Students

Strategic Insights -

University students' increasing social media usage has led to the rise of the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) phenomenon, characterized by a feeling of anxiety or apprehension about missing out on experiences others may be having. Research has explored the relationship between FoMO, social media use, and psychological well-being among university students, finding a strong positive association between FoMO and social media use. The study employed a quantitative, correlational design, collecting data from 521 university students through a cross-sectional survey. Participants completed scales measuring FoMO, psychological well-being, and academic performance, as well as a questionnaire assessing social media use. The findings underscore the importance of considering psychological and social factors when evaluating the impact of social media use among university students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) phenomenon is characterized by an acute awareness of the rewarding experiences others might be enjoying, leading to anxiety or apprehension about missing out.
  • FoMO has a strong positive association with social media use among university students (r = 0.633).
  • University students who experience higher levels of FoMO also report lower levels of psychological well-being and academic performance.
  • The study employed a quantitative, correlational design, collecting data from 521 university students through a cross-sectional survey.
  • The results suggest that FoMO and social media use play a mediating role in the relationship between psychological well-being and academic performance among university students.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering psychological and social factors when evaluating the impact of social media use among university students.
  • Hala Abd Ellatif Elsayed, a researcher from Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, was involved in the study.
  • The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology (Fear of Missing Out and its impact: exploring relationships with social media use, psychological well-being, and academic performance among university students).

Statistics:

  • Correlation coefficient between FoMO and social media use: r = 0.633.
  • Percentage of university students experiencing high levels of FoMO: 30.6% (based on the FoMO Scale).
  • Mean level of psychological well-being: 3.21 (out of 5) on the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
  • Mean GPA among university students: 2.85 (out of 4).
  • Age range of participants: 18-26 years old.
  • Sample size: 521 university students.

Sources:

  • Fear of Missing Out and its impact: exploring relationships with social media use, psychological well-being, and academic performance among university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025;16:1582572.
  • NewsRx. Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Reports Findings in Psychology (Fear of Missing Out and its impact: exploring relationships with social media use, psychological well-being, and academic performance among university students). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. July 19, 2025; p 345.