Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Compulsive Social Media Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association and Moderating Effects of Age and Gender

Bakshi K, Gait P

2026

10,781 participants

Abstract

Abstract Despite a growing literature linking Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) to compulsive social media use, the magnitude of this association across diverse populations, its demographic boundary conditions, and its theoretical mechanisms remain inadequately quantified. This pre-registered systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD420261322847) quantified the FoMO–problematic social media use (PSMU) association, tested age and gender as theoretically motivated moderators, and applied Prospect Theory and loss aversion as an organising theoretical lens. Searches across five databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed) and supplementary sources identified 19 eligible cross-sectional studies (N = 10,781) from nine countries across four continents (2022–2026). All studies operationalised FoMO using the validated 10-item Fear of Missing Out Scale; 79% used the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. The pooled association was large and significant: r = .49, 95% CI [.44, .54], z = 20.69, p

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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 10,781 participants or records.

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