Every month of May, we celebrate National Teen Self-Esteem to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring our teens are self-aware and feel confident about themselves. We all know that self-esteem has a significant effect not only on physical health but also on mental health, and being a teenager makes them more vulnerable to having an unhealthy outlook on themselves.
If you’re a teenager who is reading this, remember the time when you chose to post more frequently on your social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, because you were afraid of feeling that you were missing out on being trendy? Yes? Well then, you’ve caught the FOMO effect already.
But you’re wondering what FOMO is. What are its causes and effects? And how do I prevent this? Continue reading this article to learn the answers to your questions.
What Is FOMO?
FOMO is the acronym for “fear of missing out”. Fear of missing out is exactly what it sounds like; it is what you experience when you’re afraid of missing out on a social activity with the people around you, and for teenagers like you, with your friends. The Oxford English Dictionary defines FOMO as “a feeling of worry that an interesting or exciting event is happening somewhere else”.
What Are The Causes And Effects Of FOMO?
The most widely “known” cause of fear of missing out is the excessive usage of social media. Due to today’s teens (like you) spending more time with their smartphones and devices, FOMO has become more prone to them.
But in reality, the main cause of FOMO is the feelings of anxiety around the idea that an exciting experience or important opportunity is being missed or taken away. This is where that fear is rooted.
One of the things that could greatly affect your fear of missing out, or FOMO, is your self-esteem. According to a study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, fear of missing out is tied to online social networks and significantly affects the self-esteem of an individual. Seeing your friends post about their daily activities, such as going to a party or concert, while you are stuck at home will make you feel inferior or less than your peers because they are not hanging out with you.
The effect of FOMO is not limited to affecting your self-esteem; it can also manifest in mood swings, grumpiness, and sleeplessness. There are also times when FOMO continuously feeds your overthinking, which may result in you doing dangerous driving, inappropriate phone use, or any other risk-taking activities.
Tips In Preventing FOMO
Since we already know what FOMO is and what its causes and effects are on you, let us now learn some tips on how you can prevent having a fear of missing out.
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Take some social media breaks.
Social media feeds your FOMO, so the best thing to do is to remove it from time to time. Of course, it does not necessarily mean that not using social media will make you lose your fear of missing out already because the anxiety and feeling of missing out something is still there. That’s why, along with social media breaks, include the other tips here.
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Seek a real connection.
Social media engagement is not always real. For some, it can be; sometimes it can be, but not all the time. Make plans with a good friend or family member, like a group outing or even just taking a coffee in a cafe. With this, it can help you shake the feeling of missing out. However, because the pandemic is still present, if you prefer an online connection, you can simply message them on social media, have some chit-chat, or video call with them. Direct messaging is a better and more intimate connection than waiting for likes or reactions to your posts.
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Start a journal.
Nowadays, it is easier and more trendy to just post the daily happenings in your life. However, you may find yourself dependent on whether your followers like what you share or post. Unknowingly, you’re already seeking validation from others for your experiences. Keeping a journal can help you transform your need for public approval into a personal and private appreciation of the things happening around you. This transformation can already help you get out of the cycle of social media, FOMO, and self-esteem.
Check out this journal we especially made for people like you.
This month, we focus on the importance of supporting you, the teens, by assisting you in voicing your needs, sharing your perspectives, and developing a positive self-image. FOMO greatly affects you, our teens. That is why it is important to remember that this fear that you are experiencing is very real and mostly common at your age, but of course, this does not remove the fact that everyone may also feel a certain level of FOMO no matter what their age is. It is just that since this is a real fear and feeling, it is okay to seek help from a friend or from us if feelings of missing out are already manifesting in you, no matter what age you are or how long you have been experiencing this. Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here.
If you want to learn more about fear, read this article where we have explored in depth the meaning of fear. And if you want to learn more about your own fears and how you manage them, take this free Fear Response Quiz we made for you.
References
Elizabeth Scott, P. D. (2021, April 25). Do you have Fomo? here is how to Cope. Verywell Mind. Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-cope-with-fomo-4174664
How does fomo impact teen and young adults mental health? Paradigm Treatment. (2021, April 13). Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://paradigmtreatment.com/fomo-impacts-mental-health/
National teen self esteem month 2022. Awareness Days Events Calendar 2022. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-teen-self-esteem-month-2022/
Pace, C. by S. (2016, October 26). Examining the role of Fomo in social media and self-esteem. GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/examining-the-role-of-fomo-in-social-media-and-self-esteem-1027161
Weiss, J., About the author Jacqueline Weiss Jacqueline Weiss is a blogger, author, A. the, & View more articles from this author. (2020, February 4). Fomo could be affecting your teen more seriously than you may think. FamilyEducation. Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://www.familyeducation.com/teens/how-fomo-impacts-teens
