{"id":46049,"date":"2022-01-21T06:00:57","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T05:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccadicciones.es\/fomo-and-addiction-to-new-technologies\/"},"modified":"2022-01-21T06:00:57","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T05:00:57","slug":"fomo-and-addiction-to-new-technologies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccadicciones.es\/en\/fomo-and-addiction-to-new-technologies\/","title":{"rendered":"FOMO and addiction to new technologies"},"content":{"rendered":"

The dangers of social media are growing. People suffer from addiction to new technologies, and there are increasingly more signs and disorders that lead to this addiction. Social media largely affects young people, and it is essential to be very aware of the dangers it can pose and how important it is to use it responsibly. The harm that social media can cause, with disorders such as FOMO and addiction to new technologies, is proof of the toxicity of ICT<\/strong> in many cases. <\/p>\n

FOMO is closely linked to the fear of missing out on important experiences, social plans, conversations, or content that other people seem to be experiencing in real time. This fear of missing out can lead to constantly checking your phone, social media, or notifications\u2014behaviour that can be associated with addiction to new technologies<\/a> when there is a loss of control. <\/p>\n

What is FOMO?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Fear Of Missing Out <\/em>(FOMO), in Spanish, \u201cfear of missing out\u201d, is a disorder caused by social media. It is the feeling that you are missing something happening on social media and therefore having to check it at all times. Believing there is an event we were not invited to, that there is something we must discover\u2026 There are different fears that can lead someone who suffers from it to feel they have to check social media. <\/p>\n

Social media, designed in such a way that it makes you feel you can always be checking something, is what causes this need that ends up leading to FOMO. That you can scroll infinitely and always have \u201cnew\u201d content that you are missing. Or that there is always interaction between people also increases what we are talking about. At any moment someone may be commenting, liking, posting exclusive content that will only last a few hours\u2026 In short, it leads you to think you are \u201cmissing out\u201d on something. <\/p>\n

Social media encourages constant comparison with other people\u2019s lives and can reinforce an unhealthy relationship with the virtual world<\/a>. Photos of trips, parties, professional achievements, relationships, or seemingly perfect experiences can create the feeling that one\u2019s own life is less interesting or satisfying. This perception is often distorted, since only part of reality is shown on social media, but it can still affect emotional wellbeing and reinforce the need to keep looking at what others are doing. <\/p>\n

For all these reasons, FOMO is a psychological condition that can seriously affect people and a clear sign of social media addiction<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n

How to detect it?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most common signs is that FOMO causes anxiety when the person cannot connect, check their social media, or respond immediately. This pattern can also be seen in cases of smartphone addiction<\/a>, especially when the phone becomes a constant source of reassurance or validation. Social anxiety may also appear, especially when it is interpreted that others are meeting up, travelling, or taking part in experiences from which one feels excluded. This feeling can cause the person to stop enjoying the present, keep an eye on their phone even in social gatherings, and have difficulty mentally switching off. <\/p>\n

FOMO can be detected in different ways, as symptoms can appear in various forms. These are some of the behaviours through which we can detect that the person suffers from fear of missing out<\/em>: <\/p>\n