Fear of Missing Out

Fear of missing out, commonly abbreviated FOMO, is the feeling of apprehension that one is either not in the know about, or is actively missing out on, information, events, experiences or life decisions that could make one's life better. It is associated with a fear of regret, which can produce concern about missing an opportunity for social interaction, a novel experience, a memorable event, a profitable investment, or the comfort of loved ones, and is characterized by a desire to stay continually connected with what other people are doing. FOMO has increased in recent years alongside advances in technology, since social networking sites create constant opportunities to view an endless stream of activity a person is not personally part of, and it has been linked to a number of negative psychological and behavioral symptoms.