The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20210418152731/https://www.webopedia.com/definitions/fomo/

FOMO Meaning & Definition

FOMO is an acronym for Fear Of Missing Out, which is a feeling of envy or anxiety over missing out or being out of touch with events, experiences, or interactions. Those experiencing FOMO don’t know what they’re missing most of the time, but they worry others are having fun without them. This feeling of missing out on something has been around for centuries but wasn’t formally identified until 1996 by a marketing strategist. It didn’t become well known until a 2004 Harvard Business School magazine published an article about FOMO. It stems from self-determination theory, which is the motivation behind decision-making without external influences. It’s caused by situational or long-term deficits in psychological needs of satisfaction, similar to the concept of Keeping Up with the Joneses. With people’s lives being widely documented and shared online, this phenomenon has been amplified. Social media is a feeding ground for FOMO since users only share highlights or positive experiences.

Effects of FOMO

FOMO creates a psychological dependence on social media sites and an increase of site usage. Users will obsessively refresh their newsfeed to attempt to catch up on a missed event and will start to feel overwhelmed with the compulsion to constantly check their social media to avoid experiencing FOMO. Psychological health and well being are negatively impacted by FOMO, as well as long-term goals, perceptions, mood, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and mindfulness. FOMO can also cause significant stress, which is the host of a multitude of physical health problems.

Combatting FOMO

Some ways individuals can combat the feeling of FOMO is to focus on what you have rather than what you lack or miss, keep a journal to document experiences offline, seek out real connections to help combat the feelings of loneliness that FOMO brings, and focus on gratitude to change your mindset.

Vangie Beal
Vangie Beal
Vangie Beal is a freelance business and technology writer covering Internet technologies and online business since the late '90s.

Top Articles

The Complete List of 1500+ Common Text Abbreviations & Acronyms

Text Abbreviations reviewed by Web Webster   From A3 to ZZZ we list 1,559 SMS, online chat, and text abbreviations to help you translate and understand...

How to Create a Website Shortcut on Your Desktop

Website Shortcut on Your Desktop reviewed by Web Webster   This Webopedia guide will show you how to create a website shortcut on your desktop using...

Windows Operating System History & Versions

The Windows operating system (Windows OS) refers to a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft Corporation. We look at the history of Windows...

First to Fifth Generations of Computers

Reviewed by Web Webster   Learn about each of the 5 generations of computers and major technology developments that have led to the computing devices that...

Hackerspace Definition & Meaning

What is a hackerspace? A hackerspace, also known as a hacklab, incubator, or hackspace,...

Random Access Memory (RAM)...

Random Access Memory (RAM) reviewed by Web Webster   Random Access Memory (RAM) is a...

OEM – original equipment...

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer reviewed by Web Webster OEM (pronounced as separate letters)...