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.

It goes without saying that the Fear of missing out (FOMO), a sense of anxiety over missing potential communal rewarding experiences, is a potent driver of many modern trends. FOMO apologists claim that it may prompt individuals’ actions and ambitions, whereas detractors contend that FOMO fuels unfair comparison and financial insensibility. Personally, online FOMO’s drawbacks far outweigh its niche benefits

Online FOMO may contribute to individuals’ initiatives and commitment. Scrolling Facebook posts, YouTube videos, and TikTok clips, users may realise creators’ grit and vision, as well as the rapid social developments. This inspires conscious viewers to reflect on their hesitation and inactivity, and to adopt more active lifestyles and take initiatives to grow in their academic and professional spheres, such as embracing new working models or participating in entrepreneurial ventures that are crucial to personal achievement. Even without immediate success, such reflections still boost work efficiency and instill them with invaluable skills and vision. FOMO also sensitizes individuals to current trends, enabling them to conceive innovative ideas. Going online enables startups, post-graduates, and small businesses to understand the concerns, psychology, and needs of netizens, reflecting real-life fashion trends. This helps them to devise ideas to cater to those needs or adjust their skills and approach, corresponding to social dynamics, thereby providing various promotional and lucrative opportunities. Such understanding not only benefits individuals but also fosters local enterprise culture and adaptability to changes.

However, online FOMO also risks undermining individual and social well-being. Fear of missing out may fuel unrealistic comparisons, dissipating social cohesion and self-confidence. Algorithmic pressure, short attention cycle, and booking opportunities incentivise influencers to post glamorous lifestyles and advice that are not universally applicable. Given their reach, they establish an unrealistic standard among their followers and industries, causing them to pressure and isolate purportedly old-fashioned individuals in academic, professional, and social settings. These restricted opportunities, coupled with self-reflection, spark resentment and self-dissatisfaction among people, leading to mental and trust crises. Online FOMO may as well lead to irrational decisions. Powerful cooperations actively endorse the novelty of certain products and opportunities, prompting trends among the public. Peer pressure and a sense of belonging motivate the masses to grasp such products, pushing their prices far beyond their true values. This not only leads to microfinancial loss, but also has many serious macroeconomic implications, such as the FLC scandals or Trump coins. A vivid example is the trend of Labubu and Baby Three figures; many teenagers seek after those toys, leading to false scarcity and increased costs, without delivering any significant benefits to the owner.

To recapitulate, most individuals go online for recreational purposes and lack the appropriate judgment to make informed decisions; therefore, online FOMO damages to financial and mental well-being far overshadow its niche benefits. The public should carefully research and reason before following any online trend to safeguard personal wellness and sharpen their vision, crucial to individual accomplishments.