KnE Social Sciences
ISSN: 2518-668X
The latest conference proceedings on humanities, arts and social sciences.
Fear of Missing Out and Problematic Social Media Use: A Literature Review
Published date: Oct 13 2025
Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences
Issue title: The International Conference of Psychology 2025 (IcoPsy 2025)
Pages: 396 - 409
Authors:
Abstract:
The development of digital technology and social media has had a significant impact on human behavior, including the emergence of the phenomena of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU). This literature review aims to analyze the relationship between FOMO and PSMU and the factors that influence them. The results show that FOMO, the anxiety of missing out on information or experiences, is a strong predictor of PSMU, which is characterized by excessive, compulsive and disruptive use of social media in daily life. FOMO not only increases the intensity of social media use but is also associated with psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, decreased self-esteem and sleep disturbances. Internal factors such as neuroticism, boredom, and unmet psychological needs, as well as external factors such as peer influence and online culture, reinforce this relationship. Some studies have also identified the mediating role of state-FOMO and trait-FOMO in exacerbating PSMU tendencies. On the other hand, interventions such as physical activity, digital literacy and mindfulness practices can help reduce the negative impact of FOMO and PSMU. These findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach in understanding and treating PSMU, taking into account psychological, social, and cultural aspects.
Keywords: problematic social media use, fear of missing out, social media
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