Yes. College students living with FOMO, or fear of missing out, are more likely to cheat, abuse substances and act out. A PLOS ONE study looked at 472 students. Higher FOMO went with plagiarism, heavier alcohol and cannabis use, stimulant use and stealing.
FOMO, or fear of missing out on important things in life, is a big source of stress for college students. It causes anxiety and more. Keep in mind that mental health issues, such as complex regional pain syndrome, are the leading cause of death in teens.
And college students with FOMO are more likely to cheat at school, abuse substances, and have behavior problems. When we think of too much worry, anxiety, and depression, we often picture older adults. But that is far from true. Mental health disorders are quite common in children and young adults. For example, CDC data shows that about 10% of teens live with anxiety and depression.
But that is not all. These problems can be quite severe. Mental health issues are the second most common cause of death among teens. Many children, college students, and young adults die from mental health issues. Yet it is still a neglected subject. We need to learn what causes these problems in young adults, beyond the pressure to do well in college.
Many college students seem to live with FOMO. It may cause many health problems and antisocial behavior. It may also raise the risk of using illegal drugs.
What is FOMO in college?
Adults often assume young adults have lots of time. But they forget that time feels different at different ages. So young adults worry most about missing important things and fun in life. As a result, many live with Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO).
They worry all the time that they will not get to do things, will miss events, and will not reach goals in time. This constant fear of missing out leads to illegal and rule-breaking behavior.
How does FOMO affect college students?
In a recent study in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers found that FOMO is a constant source of anxiety in young adults. So it is vital to spot the problem in this group. It is among the first studies to show that FOMO is linked to a higher risk of problems like cheating and substance abuse. The study enrolled 472 students. They filled out a set of surveys to measure FOMO. Higher FOMO went with problems like acting out in class, plagiarism, heavy drinking, more cannabis use, stimulant use, illegal acts like stealing, and more.
The researchers also found that FOMO is fairly easy to spot. A short set of questions is enough. In fact, ten questions can reliably spot FOMO in college students. Researchers also found that computer programs may help spot FOMO. That may be a faster way to find mental health problems in many cases.
These questions can also reliably flag the risk of other problems, like offending others, cheating, and substance abuse. FOMO is easy to spot and manage, especially if caught early. Researchers say you can spot it through changes in a young adult’s behavior. People with FOMO show signs of irritability and mood problems.
Researchers also advise adults not to overreact to these changes in young adults. Instead, keep talking with them. Caregivers may sometimes find it hard to talk with their kids. But with practice, you learn how to talk well. Talking without judging may help you understand FOMO in your kids. For example, it is a good idea to talk while walking, on an outing, driving, or in other relaxed settings. Some FOMO is part of growing up. But caregivers can gently guide college students, which may help prevent illegal or rule-breaking behavior.
Frequently asked questions
Is FOMO normal in college?
To a degree, yes. Some fear of missing out is part of growing up. Young adults feel time differently than their parents do. So they worry about missing activities, fun and goals that feel urgent right now. The trouble starts when that worry never stops. Constant FOMO is a steady source of stress and anxiety. It goes along with cheating, heavier drinking and drug use.
What are the signs of FOMO in a college student?
Watch for irritability and mood changes. Watch for behavior that shifts the wrong way: acting out in class, plagiarism, heavier alcohol or cannabis use, stimulant use or stealing. Those are the behaviors the PLOS ONE researchers found along with higher FOMO. The same team showed that a short set of ten questions spots FOMO reliably. Computer programs may flag it even faster.
How can parents help a college student with FOMO?
Skip the knee-jerk reaction and keep the talk going. Researchers recommend talking without judging. The easiest talks happen in relaxed settings: on a walk, on an outing or in the car. It gets easier with practice. FOMO is easiest to manage when it is caught early. Steady, gentle guidance from the adults around a student may help prevent the illegal or rule-breaking behavior that tends to follow it.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
