By: Afeez Lawal, Mint Sathienthirakul, and Jazmyn Whitley

Within the context of modern society, social media has become deeply rooted in people’s daily lives, particularly among the youth. Although social media provides myriad advantages in many aspects, it still poses negative impacts, inevitably on the mental health of the users. Currently, the phenomenon called Fear of Missing out (FoMO) is one of the rising concerns. Such a negative impact relates to the usage of social media platforms like Instagram.

Instagram can amplify the issue of FoMO. The anxiety or insecurity of FoMO is derived from such belief or perception that others are having a successful life and more fruitful experiences than oneself. It is a fact that certain things make some people feel like they are missing out on something. Constantly comparing oneself to others can result in a sense of insecurity, affecting self-esteem, which is unhealthy for the mental and emotional state of the individuals. Thus, the Instagram platform aggravates these feelings because of the curated and idealized scenarios of people’s lives showcased there.

The social comparison theory suggests that on platforms like Instagram, where idealized images are pervasive, young people constantly compare themselves to others. This fosters a culture where perfection is prized. Consequently, the motivation behind posting on Instagram is often to portray an idealized lifestyle, prioritizing performance over authenticity. This exacerbates issues of social comparison and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among young people, perpetuating unrealistic standards and amplifying feelings of inadequacy.

To deepen our understanding of Instagram’s potential role in stimulating FoMO among young individuals, our study implements content analysis. This method allowed us to scrutinize Instagram posts and discern how their content contributes to the phenomenon of FoMO.

By analyzing the content on Instagram, we identified recurring themes and patterns that clarify the relationship between social media usage and mental health outcomes. Our investigation indicated a strong correlation between specific types of Instagram posts and the elicitation of FoMO among users.

We observed that posts showcasing seemingly idealized lifestyles, extravagant experiences, or exclusive events often prompted feelings of inadequacy and the fear of not measuring up in comparison. Furthermore, posts characterized by curated depictions of achievements, successes, or material possessions tended to evoke feelings of comparison and desire for similar accomplishments, contributing to the perpetuation of FoMO.

Therefore, it is crucial to carry out a solid plan to effectively tackle FoMO issues. A personal approach should be implemented so that everyone can understand the problem and be equipped with knowledge of how to cope and protect themselves. Positive mental health practices, including mindfulness, selfcare, and healthy social media habits, should be promoted. Building a more supportive and friendly online environment is also indispensable during the overall process. In addition to that, lessening the stigma around mental health and encouraging open discussions about mental wellness can ameliorate the issues as well.

In conclusion, it is imperative to be cautious of the potential adverse consequences on mental health caused by Instagram and general social media use. By raising awareness regarding the detrimental results of FoMO and promoting positive mental health practices, we can work towards constructing a healthier and more supportive online community for everyone, significantly for the youth.

Research Report

By: Afeez Lawal, Mint Sathienthirakul, and Jazmyn Whitley

Social media platforms have become ubiquitous and profoundly influencing various aspects of human life. Instagram stands out as one of the influential platforms that capture the attention of millions of people worldwide. However, the widespread adoption of Instagram can lead to implications and concerns regarding its impact on mental health, particularly among the youth demographic. Within this problem, this study focuses specifically on Instagram’s contribution to the fear of missing out (FoMO) among young users, particularly from 13-17 years old. By studying the relationship between Instagram use and FoMO, this study aims to shine a light on the psychological implications of social media engagement in today’s digital age. It also gained an insight that contributes to the social media studies through content analysis of Instagram posts and interactions. Ultimately, this study seeks to inform strategies for promoting healthier social media habits and mental well-being in young adults.

Literature review

Over the years, concerns regarding social media and its mental wellness impacts have escalated due to widespread adoption. As a matter of concern, researchers are attempting to solve this matter. Social media platforms provide the world with more opportunities for connectivity, information sharing, career opportunities, entertainment, etc; nevertheless, there are many downsides to mental health (Braghieri et al., 2022). The framework on social identity theory and the social compensation hypothesis suggests that social media use can both positively and negatively influence mental wellness (Braghieri et al., 2022). However, according to Berryman et al. (2017), while some studies do indicate a correlation between social media usage and mental health issues like depression and anxiety, there is still no definitive evidence for a direct cause-and-effect. Hence, a more intricate strategy and comprehensive approach to studying the relationship between social media use and mental health has been suggested and proposed by these authors. Considering no definitive conclusions in prior research, this study could bridge this gap and contribute to a better understanding and insight of the effect of social media on mental health.

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) has emerged as a notable psychological phenomenon in contemporary digital culture. The concept is defined as the desire to stay connected with others and the apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent (Gupta & Sharma, 2021). This psychological phenomenon reflects the anxiety and desire for social connection and inclusion in an age characterized by constant connectivity and information overload. Gupta & Sharma (2021) suggest that social media plays a critical role in the compensatory medium for adolescents with social anxiety to fulfill their social needs. The issue leads to negative consequences such as increased levels of anxiousness and predisposition to anxiety disorders. Given that adolescents are among the most crucial users of social media platforms, it highlights their heightened tendency to develop FoMO symptoms due to their closely connected and constant exposure to social media (Bloemen & DeConinck, 2020). Moreover, high levels of FoMO are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, which affects physical wellbeing as well as mental wellness.

The FoMO concept has attained considerable attention from researchers and psychologists due to its probable implications for mental health and well-being in young adults. Individuals experiencing FoMO may frequently make comparisons with others on social media, leading to feelings of lower selfesteem (Gupta & Sharma, 2021). Therefore, the intersection of FoMO and social comparison theory has emerged as a crucial area to be explored. Social comparison theory (SCT) explains how individuals evaluate their abilities and opinions by comparing themselves to others as individuals often engage in social comparison due to the constant exposure to curated and idealized representations of others’ lives (Reer et al., 2019). Therefore, constant exposure to social media, particularly Instagram, a photo-based platform where people often promote idealized self to attract public attention, can play a critical role in fostering a culture of comparison and competition among users. This environment, characterized by carefully curated and filtered representations of individuals’ lives, contributes to the perpetuation of unrealistic standards and ideals (Stapleton et al., 2017).

In conclusion, the intersection of social media, FoMO and social comparison theory highlights the complex dynamics in the realm of social media, particularly Instagram, and highlights the need for further research to understand its impact on mental health and well-being. Since FoMO is a relatively new phenomenon that is affecting youth with social media access worldwide and particularly revolves around contemporary digital culture. Viewing the topic of social media effects on mental health through the lens of FoMO not only allows for a deeper understanding of how social media influences mental health but also shines a light on the intricate interplay between individual behavior, societal norms, and digital environment. Consequently, the research question arises: How does Instagram use contribute to the development and exacerbation of FoMO among youth, and what are the implications for their mental well-being and social behavior?

Method

This study focuses on youth aged 13-17 using Instagram for posting and interacting. The sampling criteria include selecting Instagram posts and comments from teenagers within this age range using Instagram’s API. Probability sampling, specifically simple random sampling, will be employed to ensure unbiased selection and representativeness of the sample. The selected Instagram posts are from 2021 to 2023, filtered based on age, location, and popular hashtags of users. Instagram’s API functionality filters posts containing specific hashtags associated with keywords, user IDs or age, date and time, and location. The filter parameters include posts created by users aged 13-17 from locations within Canada, using the top 10 most popular Instagram hashtags suggested by the Influencer Marketing Hub. This approach aims to refine the selection and ensure relevance to the research question, thereby contributing insights into the relationship between Instagram use and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among youth.

Each Instagram post in the study underwent coding for demographic details (Post ID, Post Date, and Poster’s age), Fear of Missing Out (FoMO experiences, FoMO Emotional Expression, FoMO consequences), FoMO Triggers (Material Possessions Displayed, Promotion of Idealized lifestyles, comparison, and implied Urgency), and Social Comparison (Comparative language, Use of Affirmative Language, and Personal Information Disclosure). The triggers for Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) categories were developed using insights from the Alutaybi et al. article (2019) and Social Comparison categories were developed using insights from the De Vries et al. article (2017). To ensure intercoder reliability, two coders coded 64 posts in the sample, achieving 82% reliability.

Result

This study’s goal was to examine the fear of missing out (FoMO), and the role that Instagram, and by extension other social media platforms, play in its effect upon youth. This was done by examining Instagram posts by youth, with a focus on Fear of Missing Out, FoMO triggers, and Social Comparison. Of the 140 posts examined, 34% were by youth between the ages of 13-15, whereas 66% were by youth between the ages of 16-17. Each post was first examined for its meeting of our variables: FoMO experiences, FoMO emotional expression, and FoMO consequences, concerning the presence of the FoMO experience in the first place. 86 (61%) posts from those sampled were shown to meet one or more criteria. Next, each post was examined for the presence of aspects seen as FoMO triggers displays of material possessions, promotions of idealized lifestyles, lifestyle/experience comparisons, and implied urgency. 121 (86%) of the sampled posts were found to contain one or more identified triggers. Lastly, each post was examined for social comparison, which was measured by searching for comparative or affirmative language, or personal information disclosure. 72 (51%) posts were found to contain one or more social comparisons. While there were no significant gender differences found, FoMO appeared more prevalent as age decreased.

Discussion

This study’s findings highlight a concerning prevalence of FoMO triggers and expressions within the social media posts of youth on Instagram. Over 60% of the posts analyzed exhibited signs of FoMO, and an even greater percentage (86%) contained elements likely to trigger feelings of FoMO in viewers. This supports the existing idea that cultivates and capitalizes on feelings of missing out. The higher prevalence of FoMO among younger adolescents (13-15) is particularly noteworthy, as this age group may be more susceptible to the negative psychological effects of social comparison and the idealized portrayals often seen on social media. The lack of significant gender differences in FoMO expression is also interesting and warrants further investigation. Future research could explore potential genderbased variations in how FoMO manifests on social media platforms or how these platforms tailor content to different genders. Overall, this study underscores the importance of understanding how social media use shapes young people’s experiences with FoMO. Educating teens about the curated and potentially misleading nature of social media content, along with fostering healthy online habits, could be crucial steps in mitigating the negative impacts of FoMO in our increasingly digital world.

Limitations

This study’s limitations are as follows. The study’s focus upon youth from 13-15 and 16-17 overlooks the impacts of social media upon the mental health of older youth, particularly those aged 18-25. Despite concentrated efforts to ensure coding reliability, differing interpretations between the two coders could impact overall analysis consistency. In addition, the authors were only able to choose 140 Instagram posts from millions of existing ones by youth. This means the study’s findings are limited in generalizability and application to broader contexts. Additionally, the analysis may not capture the full spectrum of potential FoMO triggers on social media and cannot address the intentions of posters at the time of creation. Further studies in this subject would benefit from methodological refines to ensure the inclusion of participation observation and surveys to gather testimonial data to support the existing observational data.

Implications, Recommendations, and Conclusion

This research concerning the impact of Instagram and other social media platforms upon the mental health of youth makes significant contributions to existing knowledge. The pervasiveness of FoMO triggers and expressions on social media platforms like Instagram has significant implications for youth development. These findings suggest a need for a comprehensive approach to address this issue. The researchers recommend educational initiatives for kids and teens that promote critical media literacy skills, enabling them to deconstruct the idealized portrayals often presented online. It is important that youth understand the dangers and implications of social media usage before beginning to use it. Additionally, fostering open communication between parents and teens about social media use could be instrumental in mitigating the negative effects of FoMO. Social media platforms themselves also have a role to play, though it is unclear if participation in such initiatives would contradict with their goals as platforms. The implementation of features that promote real-time connections and prioritize authentic content creation over excessive self-promotion could foster a healthier online environment for young users. In conclusion, this study highlights the urgent need to address the intersection of social media and FoMO in the lives of youth. By equipping teens with critical thinking skills and fostering open communication, they can be empowered and given guidance in their navigation of the digital world.

References

Alutaybi, A., Arden-Close, E., McAlaney, J., Stefanidis, A., Phalp, K., & Ali, R. (2019). How can social networks design trigger fear of missing out? In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics (SMC). https://doi.org/10.1109/smc.2019.8914672

Berryman, C., Ferguson, C. J., & Negy, C. (2017). Social media use and mental health among young adults. Psychiatric Quarterly, 89(2), 307–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-017-9535-6

Bloemen, N., & De Coninck, D. (2020). Social Media and fear of missing out in adolescents: The role of family characteristics. Social Media + Society, 6(4), 205630512096551. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305120965517

Braghieri, L., Levy, R., & Makarin, A. (2022). Social Media and Mental Health. American Economic Review, 112(11), 3660–3693. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.20211218

de Vries, D. A., Möller, A. M., Wieringa, M. S., Eigenraam, A. W., & Hamelink, K. (2017). Social comparison as the thief of joy: Emotional consequences of viewing strangers’ instagram posts. Media Psychology, 21(2), 222–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2016.1267647

Faelens, L., Hoorelbeke, K., Cambier, R., van Put, J., Van de Putte, E., De Raedt, R., & Koster, E. H. W. (2021). The relationship between Instagram use and indicators of mental health: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4, 100121-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100121

Gupta, M., & Sharma, A. (2021). Fear of missing out: A brief overview of origin, theoretical underpinnings and relationship with Mental Health. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 9(19), 4881–4889. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4881

Mun, I. B., & Kim, H. (2021). Influence of False Self-Presentation on Mental Health and Deleting Behavior on Instagram: The Mediating Role of Perceived Popularity. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 660484–660484. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660484

Reer, F., Tang, W. Y., & Quandt, T. (2019). Psychosocial well-being and social media engagement: The mediating roles of social comparison orientation and fear of missing out. New Media & Society, 21(7), 1486–1505. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818823719

Stapleton, P., Luiz, G., & Chatwin, H. (2017). Generation validation: The role of social comparison in use of Instagram among emerging adults. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(3), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2016.0444

Zhao, Y., Cingel, D. P., Xie, L., & Yu, M. (2023). Exploring the relations of subjective and objective Instagram use on young adults’ mental health. Telematics and Informatics, 77, 101921-https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2022.101921

Appendix 1

Definitions

FoMO: A negative emotional state driven by the persistent belief that others are having more fulfilling or exciting experiences than you. A two-part process: the perception of missing out, and a compulsive checking behavior to stay connected and informed about what others are doing.

Social Comparison Theory: Proposes that people have a fundamental drive to evaluate themselves by comparing their abilities, opinions, and possessions to others. These comparisons can be upward (comparing yourself to someone you perceive as better off) or downward (comparing yourself to someone you perceive as worse off).

Appendix 2

Code definition and Categories
		Description
1. Demographic details	A. Post ID	Unique identifier for each Instagram post
	B. Post Date	Date when the Instagram post was created
	C. Post age	0= 13-15 and 1=16-17
Variables	Categories	Description
2. Fear of Missing Out (FoMO)	0=No and 1=Yes
	A. FoMO experiences	Indicates whether the Instagram post reflects or discusses experiences related to Fear of Missing Out
	B. FoMO Emotional Expression	Indicates whether the Instagram post expresses emotions or sentiments associated with Fear of Missing Out, such as anxiety, envy, or regret
	C. FoMO consequences	Indicates any perceived consequences or effects of Fear of Missing out discussed or implied in the Instagram post
3. FoMO Tiggers		0= No and 1=Yes
	A. Material possession Displayed	The post includes content that showcases the tangible items or objects that individuals possess, own, or showcase.
	B. Promotion of Idealized lifestyles	The content promotes an idealized or curated lifestyle that may be unattainable for the viewer.
	C. Comparison	The post involves comparisons between the viewer and others, either implicitly or explicitly.
	D. Implied Urgency	The content includes language or visuals that suggest a limited time or availability for certain opportunities, encouraging
		viewers to take immediate action.
4. Social Comparison		0=No and 1=Yes
	A. Comparative language	Indicates whether the Instagram post or comments involve comparisons of oneself with others.
	B. Use of Affirmative Language	Indicates whether a post or comment Involves seeking approval, recognition, or reassurance from others.
	C. Personal Information Disclosure	The content of the post shows over-sharing personal information or accomplishments.