FOMO i det digitala ungdomslivet. En kvalitativ studie om synlighet, normer och digitalt välbefinnande

Abstract

This study explores how young women experience the phenomenon of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in relation to their use of social media, and how these experiences impact their digital well-being. Using a qualitative approach, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with ten female high school students, aged 17–19, from two major cities in Sweden. The theoretical framework combines Uses and Gratifications Theory (Ruggiero, 2000), Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954), and Mediatization Theory (Couldry & Hepp, 2017; Hjarvard, 2013) to analyze the participants’ narratives. The study addresses the following research questions: 1. How do young people describe their use of social media in relation to needs, motivations, and feelings of FOMO? This question is analysed using Uses and Gratifications Theory (Ruggiero, 2000), which explores the needs that young people seek to fulfil through social media, and how, or if, FOMO arises when these needs remain unmet. 2. How do young people perceive that FOMO influences the way they compare themselves to others on social media? To understand this aspect, the study applies Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954), which explains how individuals evaluate themselves in relation to others, especially in digital environments shaped by constant exposure to idealised lives. 3. In what ways do young people experience that FOMO affects their sense of well-being in a digital context? This question is explored through Mediatization Theory (Couldry & Hepp, 2017; Hjarvard, 2013), which helps explain how digital platforms not only serve as tools for communication, but also shape cultural norms and perceptions of what constitutes a meaningful life. The findings reveal that social media is deeply integrated into the everyday lives of young people, serving not only as a tool for entertainment and information but also as a central arena for social interaction, identity construction, and the maintenance of social belonging. Platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram are used daily and are perceived as essential to keeping up with social circles. Presence, visibility, and activity have become normative expectations, aligning with theories on how mediatization shapes social norms and values. However, the study also highlights a tension between the benefits and the emotional costs of social media use. While social media offers inspiration, connection, and entertainment, it simultaneously creates emotional pressure through social comparisons and the fear of exclusion. FOMO emerges when young people perceive a gap between their psychological and social needs, such as belonging and recognition, and the gratification they actually receive. This emotional stress is further reinforced by constant exposure to curated and idealized portrayals of others' lives online. Participants describe ambivalent feelings toward social media- they appreciate its role in their social lives but also acknowledge that it contributes to feelings of unworthiness, stress, and anxiety. Many report strategies to manage FOMO, such as taking short breaks from apps, engaging in alternative activities, or intentionally downplaying the importance of what they see online. Nevertheless, these efforts are often undermined by the structural norms of visibility and participation embedded in the platforms themselves. Ultimately, the study concludes that FOMO is not simply an individual psychological phenomenon but a socially and culturally conditioned experience shaped by the logic of digital platforms. Social media usage among young people is driven not only by personal motivations but also by collective expectations about what it means to live a “successful” and socially validated life. This creates a paradox where digital media simultaneously offers belonging and generates emotional strain. The findings suggest that understanding FOMO requires attention to the interplay between individual needs, social comparisons, and the broader mediatized culture that defines much of today's youth experience.