FOMO — or the fear of missing out — is something most of us remember all too well from childhood. It’s usually why kids fight bedtime so fiercely, afraid something exciting might happen once they’re asleep.
In today’s hyper-connected world, FOMO hits teens and tweens in a whole different way thanks to the combination of smartphones and social media. In the past, you’d just find out when friends went out without you when you heard the gossip in school. Nowadays, kids learn right away when they’re left out, which stings all the more as it plays out in real time. In this post, we will share with you strategies to help your child manage FOMO and focus on living in the present.
The Real Mental Impact of FOMO
Kids today experience a blurring of the line between their online and offline worlds. What they see on social media feels urgent and real. Constant exposure to friends’ adventures, glamorous vacations, and big social events can lead to harmful comparisons. Seeing these highlight reels can leave your child feeling inadequate, which may develop into low self-esteem, jealousy, and sadness. Over time, this emotional distress may snowball into anxiety or depression.
Strategies for Coping with FOMO in Children
Encourage Regular Digital Detoxes
FOMO feeds on the constant influx of online updates. The more your child checks Instagram, friend locations, or group chat buzz, the worse they may feel. To counter this, establish specific times each day when screens are off-limits. Start with the basics: no devices at bedtime (charging phones elsewhere), screen-free meals, and undisturbed family movie nights.
Discuss the “Highlight Reel” Reality
Help your child understand that social media only shows the best, often exaggerated moments in people’s lives; no one posts about awkward parts or times they’re bored. Even kids curate their feeds to make themselves seem more interesting. Once your child finally realizes that a picture-perfect post may hide either a dull or drama-filled reality, they may begin to feel less left out.
Prioritize Face-to-Face Connections
But all those likes, comments, and direct messages are not competition to what is real. So, if your child is feeling isolated because of online comparisons, encourage in-person connections: set up frequent playdates, try playing games together in person, or let them join clubs or sports teams. Nothing can replace getting a real laugh with a friend.
Restrict Social Media Access
At Pinardin, we hear from parents who wish they’d held off on giving their kids social media longer. It’s hard to take back that freedom once it’s granted, and apps like Instagram can have a profound effect on how kids view themselves and their peers. If you can, delay social media use. When your child does begin using it, establish clear boundaries. Even adults deal with FOMO, so it’s no wonder young minds have difficulty controlling it.
Reassure Them There’s Plenty of Time to Do Everything
Kids fear that by missing one event, they are going to miss this one chance in a lifetime. Strong emotions and a lack of life experience make it hard for them to realize that there will always be more chances. Remind them that life is full of endless possibilities and that it is perfectly fine not to hasten or do everything at once. Comfort them that there will be many more parties, outings, and adventures in their future.
How Pinardin Supports Families
If FOMO starts taking a serious toll on your child, Pinardin is here to help. Our award-winning parental control service keeps an eye out for signs of anxiety or depression linked to feeling excluded. Pinardin also watches for other red flags, such as interactions with predators, mentions of self-harm, and exposure to age-inappropriate content.
