Question

Read the following passage carefully:

(1)	In the fast-evolving landscape of the present age, digital saturation and algorithmically curated lives, the phenomenon of FOMO – the Fear of Missing Out – has progressed from a fleeting psychological discomfort into a pervasive cultural condition. Initially, the term was coined to describe the anxiety provoked by the perception that others are participating in rewarding experiences from which one is absent. FOMO now pervades virtually in every dimension of contemporary existence, fuelled largely by the continuous updates of edited content on social media platforms. Significantly, it is the anxiety that others are experiencing something more fulfilling, exciting, or meaningful.
(2)	The roots of FOMO lie in the interplay between the evolutionary instincts of an individual and modern technology. It may be traced as a fundamental human trait – the innate desire to belong. Man – being a social creature naturally, always tries to seek inclusion and belonging as a means of survival. Albeit, nowadays social media has escalated this instinct by bothering individuals with real-time updates of others’ lives, carefully edited vacations, - career milestones or even temporal joys framed as extraordinary. Each notification becomes a reminder of what we are not doing, a mirror reflecting our perceived inadequacies.
(3)	FOMO is not solely a personal affliction; it is a cultural artifact also, shaped by the values of a society that equates busyness with worth and novelty with happiness. Moreover, consumerism fuels this fire with brands exploiting FOMO through limited time offers, exclusive events, and influencer-driven trends that promise belonging or status. The rise of the ‘experience economy’, where memories and moments are commodified, intensifies the Pressure to participate in everything from music festivals to viral food craze.
(4)	Furthermore, FOMO has created profound shifts in behaviour also. Due to this, the decision-making process has become increasingly worrisome, with people hesitating to commit to plans for fear of a better alternative emerging later. It often leads to impulsive choices, such as overspending on unnecessary products, overcommitting to events or making hasty life decisions to avoid feeling excluded. People, due to FOMO, struggle to focus on their priorities because they are distracted by what others are doing. Even highlighted reels of professional journeys shared online by others breed discontent and cause anxiety and dissatisfaction, where no experience feels complete.
(5)	The gloomy side of FOMO manifests in lowered self-esteem, impaired concentration and in severe cases, depression. Ironically, the more one tries to engage with multiple activities to ‘keep up’, the greater it leads to emotional exhaustion. The illusion of missing out on something ‘better’ elsewhere robs individuals of their ability to engage themselves fully in their present experiences.
(6)	To overcome the fear of missing out, we require intentional strategies. To avoid constant comparison, specific timings for checking the apps and social media should be set. One can also engage oneself in mindful breathing or meditation to stay grounded to the present, By prioritising self-awareness and authentic experiences, one can take the edge off FOMO’s grip and cultivate a richer, more satisfying life without chasing external validation. Finally, we need to recognise that carefully selected online portrayals, which are essentially selective, generate emotional resilience.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:

1. What is the primary psychological trigger behind FOMO in the context of social media usage? Paragraph (1) 1
   1. physical fatigue
   2. fear of rejection from loved ones
   3. need of privacy to keep oneself safe
   4. fear of being left out of rewarding experiences
2. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given below: Paragraph (1) 1
   FOMO has entered every dimension of a person’s existence because ______.
   1. more exciting events are taking place nowadays
   2. of constant edits and updates on the social media platforms 
3. What is the impact of the ‘experience economy’ on individuals? Paragraph (3) 1
4. How does FOMO affect an individual’s decision-making ability? Paragraph (4) 2
5. Support the writer’s viewpoint that FOMO leads to emotional consequences. Paragraph (4) 1
6. List two effective ways to deal with Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Paragraph (6) 2
7. State whether the following statement is True or False: 1
   People need to make an effort to come out of their FOMO state of mind. Paragraph (6) 1
8. Complete the following with the correct option from the ones given below.
   In the phrase ‘generate emotional resilience’, the word ‘resilience’ refers to the ability to ______ Paragraph (6) 1
   
   1. support and create more social content.
   2. withstand emotional anxiety of FOMO.
   3. accelerate the notifications on social media.
   4. give in to digital social pressure.

Answer 1

1. fear of being left out of rewarding experiences
2. FOMO has entered every dimension of a person’s existence because of constant edits and updates on the social media platforms.
3. The experience economy has led to individuals feeling pressured to constantly seek out and share exciting experiences, contributing to the fear of missing out (FOMO).
4. Fomo can negatively affect an individual’s decision-making ability by causing them to make impulsive choices, prioritise social validation over personal well being and feel anxiety about potential missed opportunities.
5. The writer notes that highlighted reels and constant comparisons breed discontent, anxiety and dissatisfaction, so no experience feels complete, showing FOMO produces emotional distress.
6. Two effective ways to deal with Fomo are to practise mindfulness and gratitude and to limit social media consumption.
7. True
8. In the phrase ‘generate emotional resilience’, the word ‘resilience’ refers to the ability to withstand emotional anxiety of FOMO.