The Rise of Social Media Addiction

Oct 13, 2025 by vinooalluri.com 119 views

Introduction

In the current digital era, the use of social media has become an integral part of everyday life, especially for generation Z. However, the phenomenon of the fear of missing out (FOMO) has emerged as a factor that affects the high dependence on social media. This study aims to explore the influence of FOMO on the tendency of social media addiction among generation Z, which includes individuals aged 15 to 21 years.

The Rise of Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction has become a significant concern in recent years, particularly among the younger generation. The constant availability of social media platforms has led to an increase in the amount of time spent on these platforms, often at the expense of other activities. This excessive use of social media can have negative consequences, including decreased attention span, increased stress levels, and decreased face-to-face communication skills.

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

FOMO is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the fear of missing out on important events, experiences, or information. This fear can be triggered by social media, which provides a constant stream of updates and notifications. As a result, individuals may feel pressure to stay connected and up-to-date with the latest information, leading to an excessive use of social media.

Research Methodology

This study uses a quantitative approach involving 188 respondents from generation Z. The sampling method used is accidental sampling, which aims to obtain representative samples in the research context. Data collection was carried out through two instruments, namely the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) scale developed by Przyblski et al. (2013) and the scale of social media disorder by Van Den Eijnden et al. (2016).

Data Analysis

Data analysis was carried out using a simple linear regression method using SPSS software. The findings of this study showed a significant influence between FOMO on the tendency of social media addiction. The analysis shows the value of R² = 0.330, which indicates that 33% of variations in the tendency of social media addiction can be explained by the FOMO variable.

Findings Analysis

Furthermore, this study identified that aspects of competencies from FOMO have the greatest influence on social media addiction, with a contribution of 29.6%. This indicates that the younger generation feels the need to always be connected and get the latest information to be considered competent and not lagging behind their friends. This dependency shows a strong social pressure, where individuals feel that active participation in social media is a necessity to meet existing social expectations.

Conclusion and Implications

The results of this study indicate that the fear of missing out has a significant influence on the tendency of social media addiction among the Z generation. This finding is important because it provides insight into how psychological factors such as FOMO can contribute to excessive use of social media behavior. For educators, parents, and policy makers, these results can be the basis in designing more effective interventions to reduce the negative impact of social media addiction, such as educational programs about the use of healthy social media and awareness of the importance of balance in digital life.

Recommendations for Future Research

This study provides a foundation for future research on the topic of FOMO and social media addiction. Future studies can explore the following areas:

The impact of FOMO on mental health and well-being
The role of social media in perpetuating FOMO
The effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing FOMO and social media addiction

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The use of a quantitative approach, which may not capture the complexity of the phenomenon
The reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to biases and inaccuracies
The limited sample size, which may not be representative of the larger population

Conclusion

Q: What is the fear of missing out (FOMO)?

A: The fear of missing out (FOMO) is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the fear of missing out on important events, experiences, or information. This fear can be triggered by social media, which provides a constant stream of updates and notifications.

Q: How does FOMO contribute to social media addiction?

A: FOMO can contribute to social media addiction by creating a sense of pressure to stay connected and up-to-date with the latest information. This pressure can lead to an excessive use of social media, as individuals feel the need to constantly check their accounts and stay informed.

Q: What are the consequences of social media addiction?

A: The consequences of social media addiction can be severe and include decreased attention span, increased stress levels, decreased face-to-face communication skills, and negative impacts on mental and physical health.

Q: How can educators, parents, and policy makers address the issue of FOMO and social media addiction?

A: Educators, parents, and policy makers can address the issue of FOMO and social media addiction by implementing educational programs about the use of healthy social media, promoting awareness of the importance of balance in digital life, and providing resources and support for individuals struggling with social media addiction.

Q: What are some strategies for reducing FOMO and social media addiction?

A: Some strategies for reducing FOMO and social media addiction include:

Setting boundaries and limits on social media use
Engaging in offline activities and hobbies
Practicing mindfulness and self-compassion
Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional

Q: How can individuals identify if they are experiencing FOMO and social media addiction?

A: Individuals can identify if they are experiencing FOMO and social media addiction by paying attention to their behavior and emotions. Some common signs of FOMO and social media addiction include:

Feeling anxious or stressed when unable to access social media
Spending excessive amounts of time on social media
Feeling pressure to constantly check social media accounts
Neglecting offline activities and relationships due to social media use

Q: What are some resources available for individuals struggling with FOMO and social media addiction?

A: Some resources available for individuals struggling with FOMO and social media addiction include:

Mental health professionals and therapists
Support groups and online communities
Educational programs and workshops
Mobile apps and tools designed to help individuals manage social media use

Q: How can individuals maintain a healthy balance between social media use and offline life?

A: Individuals can maintain a healthy balance between social media use and offline life by:

Setting boundaries and limits on social media use
Engaging in offline activities and hobbies
Prioritizing face-to-face communication and relationships
Practicing mindfulness and self-compassion

Q: What are some future directions for research on FOMO and social media addiction?

A: Some future directions for research on FOMO and social media addiction include:

Investigating the impact of FOMO on mental health and well-being
Examining the role of social media in perpetuating FOMO
Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing FOMO and social media addiction
Exploring the intersection of FOMO and social media addiction with other mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression.