Parents have a crucial role in helping adolescents by educating them in an open communication environment and teaching them about the pros and cons of the different trends constantly emerging and directed at the teenage population
Parents have a crucial role in helping adolescents by educating them in an open communication environment and teaching them about the pros and cons of the different trends constantly emerging and directed at the teenage population. Adolescents are more prone to experiencing high levels of apprehension about not fitting into the peer group due to a desire to stay connected and involved in what other peers are doing or having. Social platforms play an important role in promoting and sustaining FOMO with their advertising and marketing strategies. This leads to stress, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and a sense of inadequacy if not included in the social norms of the peer group or social adolescent tendencies. The need for social validation can overtake an adolescent’s life, impairing academic and social aspects, and in extreme cases, they may question the meaning of life unless they are accepted by their peers.
Social media offers exposure to how other people’s lives appear and, even when it is sometimes fake, adolescents’ ability to discern is still a work in progress. This intensifies the fear of being left out and the need to be constantly connected. Social media platforms promote FOMO due to the constant stream of desirable and exciting content, leading to a sense of comparison among users and inducing a competitive spirit to reach these exciting experiences or goals. Adolescence is a period where self-identity is being developed, and social acceptance and the search for validation are strong factors. The adolescent brain is still developing, particularly the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control. This may lead to heightened susceptibility to addictive behaviours like excessive social media use.
Strategies for Parents of Teenagers
As a parent, you can help by creating a family environment where feelings about FOMO can be discussed without fear of judgment. Build trust and encourage open dialogue. Put yourself in your teenager’s shoes and acknowledge their feelings. Share your own experiences where you may have felt left out of the group in the past, and share tips, insights, and learnings with them. Reassure them that we are all human and share similar feelings, although perhaps in different situations. Let them know they are not alone, offer your support, and if necessary, consult with a professional therapist, GP, or school.
Establish healthy boundaries around internet use and have technology-free zones in the house. Quality family time, engaging in meaningful hobbies, and doing something for others like helping in the community will help to reduce the need for comparison, as adolescents will become aware of the uniqueness of each person and value others for their personal characteristics.
Promote the idea of self-acceptance and the importance of appreciating oneself and one’s opinions and values while reducing the influence FOMO has over their emotional well-being to become more FOMO resilient
Dr Emma Allende
Help them by promoting self-acceptance and acceptance of diversity in personalities. Support your adolescents by encouraging them to develop coping mechanisms to use when faced with the effects of FOMO. Nurture them to start developing authentic and meaningful connections with others and limit social media use. Talk to your teens about the importance of dedicating quality time to getting to know people in depth in real life, discussing emotions, experiences, and feelings. Sharing offline commonalities and acknowledging how differences enrich personalities.
Teach them to evaluate the content presented to them and inform them about how marketing can be used to motivate teenagers towards FOMO. Promote the idea of self-acceptance and the importance of appreciating oneself and one’s opinions and values while reducing the influence FOMO has over their emotional well-being to become more FOMO resilient.
