EXPLORING THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SHAPING THE FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO) AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SARAWAK
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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The pervasive nature of social media has positioned it as a significant factor in the psychological well-being of university students, particularly concerning the rise of the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). This qualitative study aimed to explore the role of social media in shaping FOMO among female undergraduate students at UNIMAS, understand its influence on their emotional well-being, and construct the coping mechanisms they employ. Adopting a phenomenological approach , this research conducted pre-screening, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and collected reflective journals from six purposively selected female students from psychology and counseling programs. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that excessive engagement with visually-centric platforms like TikTok and Instagram contributes significantly to FOMO, driven by habitual use and compulsive platform switching. Upward social comparison was a primary trigger, leading to negative self-evaluation in areas of life progress, academic performance, and lifestyle, which in turn evoked emotional distress, including sadness, anger, and insecurity. Despite their academic training, the participants were not immune to FOMO; however, they employed various coping strategies such as developing self-awareness and acceptance, seeking support through venting, and using distraction through alternative activities like cooking and creative hobbies. This study contributes to the limited research on FOMO in a Malaysian context, highlighting the need for targeted digital well-being initiatives within university settings. It underscores the importance of fostering self-regulation and critical media literacy to mitigate the negative emotional consequences of FOMO.