The New Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Reflecting on the Human Impact of Overly Positive Social Media Through Interactive Installation

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is a psychosocial phenomenon characterized by anxiety over missing an event, activity, or opportunity, particularly when it is perceived to offer pleasure or value. The rise of social media has amplified this anxiety, as individuals are exposed to idealized portrayals of others’ lives, which can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. Traditionally, people have attempted to mitigate FOMO by avoiding comparisons with others’ seemingly perfect lives. However, this strategy has become less effective due to evolving forms of FOMO. In modern society, FOMO is no longer confined to worrying about the activities of others; it now extends to the creation of positive content that individuals compare themselves to. When personal experiences fail to meet these idealized standards, anxiety and frustration ensue. This shift in FOMO dynamics complicates individuals’ ability to recognize and address their distress. As a result, new forms of FOMO have a profound impact on mental health and self-identity, mirroring the challenges faced in the pursuit of an idealized existence. Social media offers individuals the freedom to envision their potential, but this freedom paradoxically fuels anxiety. To explore this emerging form of FOMO, this project began with a formative study to identify the key factors of overly positive media that influence individuals. Based on these insights, a visual model was created to represent self-construction in social media, and a storyboard was developed to illustrate how people self-construct positive content. An interactive installation was then designed to simulate the process by which individuals unconsciously fall into self-comparison. Feedback from user experiences was collected to further optimize the design. The installation aims to raise awareness of new forms of FOMO, promote reflection, and encourage behavioural change. Ultimately, the project seeks to deepen public understanding of how modern FOMO impacts mental health and assist individuals in developing a more authentic relationship with social media.