The Internet is a great source of connection between people nowadays. However, this internet connection started influencing our feelings, thinking as well as our behavior. According to the latest research, FOMO is affecting in two ways. One is “Doomscrolling”. The second is “Problematic Social Media Use”.
Let’s explore this topic more deeply to find out what FOMO is and how it affects our daily lives and emotions.
What is FOMO?
FOMO is one kind of fear. Furthermore, it is a fear of “missing out” things happening in social surroundings. In addition to this, it initiates a desire to check our social media accounts again and again during the whole day.
Researchers are studying this phenomenon to explore it in a better way. Several studies support the concept that it is strongly connected with well-being, mental health and social media use.
Problematic Social Media Use
We can’t deny the fact that we are unable to control our urge to check our social media platforms several times. Due to this reason, it is making use of social media problematic for people of today’s era.
Furthermore, it has a highly negative impact on one’s everyday life. Even, people check their mobiles many times during working or doing any task. You guys will agree with me that it’s an unavoidable urge to check the internet to get the latest updates from social media.
Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is connected with the desire to check the news feed of social media accounts to get news. Moreover, these doomscrollers are mostly in search of some kind of bad news. These guys refresh their news feeds constantly to never miss any news at all.
Even, they remain awake late at night to seek out any news. Problematic use of the internet has been here from the time people started using social media. However, the intensity of problematic use is increasing day by day.
On the other hand, the phenomenon of doomscrolling is quite recent and also evolving each and every day. Therefore, there is a need for more research in this area to control people getting spoiled by it. Researchers are trying to explore this phenomenon in more depth through the latest research.
Balance is Necessary
People with having strong level of FOMO have difficulty regulating their emotions and engage in problematic use of the internet. According to the researchers, a well-balanced use of the internet is essential for better mental health.
Moreover, it is important to understand the nature of social media. Try to understand that you are suffering from FOMO or not. You should intentionally control your urge to check social media constantly. It will help you to become more mindful and emotionally stable.
Social media is negatively affecting your life. Try to use it only in a proper way and make a distance from it. We know it’s hard, but you have to do this for your own emotional well-being and mental health.
References:
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-024-05834-9
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8283615/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7735659/
