Band 7+: "Fear of missing out (FOMO)" is commonly used to describe people's anxiety that others are experiencing rewarding events without them, a sensation often amplified by social-media feeds. Some argue that FOMO can act as a catalyst that fuels proactive behaviour and ambition. Many others maintain that FOMO triggers chronic dissatisfaction, prompting constant upward social comparison. Another line of thought practically highlights that FOMO drives impulsive purchases and "scarcity-marketing" tactics, often at the expense of financial prudence. Which view(s) do you agree with? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

With the Internet nowadays, people around the world can know about a major event or update on the latest trends in a blink of an eye. That has given birth to FOMO and making it more and more common, especially among young people. About this matter, there have been 3 main thoughts. While some think that FOMO fuels proactive behaviour and ambitions, this essay discusses all of these and gives my opinions about these thoughts.

Some people think FOMO fuels proactive actions and ambitions like a catalyst. To some extents, this is true. FOMO can be the biggest motivation for someone to step out of their comfort zone. For instance, when a student sees their peers participating in prestigious internships or mastering a new language, that FOMO can push them to enroll in similar programs or work harder on their own skills. In this sense, FOMO is transformed into a drive for self-development, encouraging continuous growth in a fast-paced world.

However, the dark side of FOMO is usually more prevalent, which leads to many others maintaining that FOMO causes chronic dissatisfaction and makes people compare themselves upwardly. People on social media platforms curate “highlight reels”, we are left constantly comparing their own everyday lives to others’ extraordinary moments. This leads to an endless cycle of upward social comparison, which might lead to increased levels of low self-esteem, anxiety and even depression as individuals feel they are “behind” in life, regardless of their real-life achievements.

Furthermore, FOMO is a powerful tool for businesses, with another point of view saying it fuels impulsive purchases and “scarcity-marketing” tactics. Businesses regularly create a false sense of urgency using phrases like “limited edition” or “only 5 left in stock” to trigger impulsive buying. Many consumers, with a fear that they will miss out on a rare or trendy item, make purchases they neither need nor actually afford. This is most evident in the fashion and tech industries, where “trends” cycle so quickly that yesterday’s must-have item is today’s out-of-fashion, leaving the buyers an empty wallet and also an empty soul.

In conclusion, FOMO has both its benefits and drawbacks. To maintain balance, it is necessary to practise digital mindfulness and recognise that what we see online may not be the full picture.