Digital Literacy and Digital Detox Intention: The Moderating Roles of FoMO and JoMO

Purpose:This study examines whether digital literacy predicts digital detox intention and whether Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Joy of Missing Out (JoMO) moderate this relationship.Design/methodology:A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected via Prolific from an approximately gender-balanced sample of 216 UK citizens and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).Findings:Digital literacy did not have a statistically significant direct effect on digital detox intention, and neither FoMO nor JoMO significantly moderated this relationship. However, JoMO emerged as a significant positive predictor of digital detox intention, suggesting that individuals who find satisfaction in disconnecting are more likely to intend to engage in digital detox. Given the cross-sectional design and the modest, explained variance, these results describe associations rather than causal effects.Originality/value:The study examines FoMO and JoMO within the same model and approaches digital detox through proactive competence rather than negative experiences alone. The findings suggest that positive orientations toward disconnection deserve attention alongside digital competence in research on digital well-being.