As technology propels us at an alarming rate into the future through the convenience of mobile phones, iPads and other devices, it would seem we have the world at our fingertips.
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Accessing the internet has become increasingly popular in Australia with well-over 3.9 million users aged 14 years and over going online via their mobiles.
The convenience and mobility of our phones have effectively kept us up-to-date when it comes to maintaining contact with social networks.
But are we sabotaging our daily routines by continually monitoring social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and a barrage of others.
The concept called Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is not a new thing. In fact, the word FOMO was added to the Oxford dictionary in 2013.
It is characterised by a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing, what we have missed out on, and what we haven’t been included in.
Psychologist Christine Foley of the Mount Isa region said the psychological concept is from a social psychological perspective of Ingroups VS Outgroups and where a young person strives to be part of the in-group at all times.
“Some suggest that FOMO is driven by anxiety symptoms and young people wanting to be part of what’s happening right now,” Ms Foley said.
“However, with adolescents it is more likely motivated by fear symptoms, with the fear being they will belong to the outgroup if they are not up-to-date with information or events in line with their peer group’s knowledge.”
This means young people are motivated to have access to social media at all times including throughout the night.
“They don’t want to be the only person who doesn’t know what happened the next day,” Ms Foley said.
Ms Foley said for adolescents in Mount Isa, FOMO is likely to have a strong positive impact as so many of our young people are striving and achieving amazing things.
“You only need to attend any local high school awards night to see what some young people are doing and the concept of FOMO does motivate others to follow their achievements,” she said.
The inclination of wanting to be part of an opportunity, to try something new or to improve in different areas of our lives, may see youth pushing their limits and trying harder to achieve their goals.
However, there are only 24 hours in a day, money does not grow on trees, and we do need to sleep so, acquiring a balanced awareness is needed to keep FOMO as a positive influence in our lives.