Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico

Background/Objectives: The increased use of social media in Mexico has given rise to the “fear of missing out” (FoMO) phenomenon, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to measure the extent of FoMO among junior high school students in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico, during the...

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Main Authors: Manuel Maciel-Saldierna, Ignacio Roberto Méndez-Garavito, Emmanuel Elizondo-Hernandez, Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco, Alejandro González-Ojeda, Sol Ramírez-Ochoa, Enrique Cervantes-Pérez, Berenice Vicente-Hernández, Sergio Jiram Vázquez-Sánchez, Jonathan Matías Chejfec-Ciociano, Gabino Cervantes-Guevara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Pediatric Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/16/4/87
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author Manuel Maciel-Saldierna
Ignacio Roberto Méndez-Garavito
Emmanuel Elizondo-Hernandez
Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco
Alejandro González-Ojeda
Sol Ramírez-Ochoa
Enrique Cervantes-Pérez
Berenice Vicente-Hernández
Sergio Jiram Vázquez-Sánchez
Jonathan Matías Chejfec-Ciociano
Gabino Cervantes-Guevara
author_facet Manuel Maciel-Saldierna
Ignacio Roberto Méndez-Garavito
Emmanuel Elizondo-Hernandez
Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco
Alejandro González-Ojeda
Sol Ramírez-Ochoa
Enrique Cervantes-Pérez
Berenice Vicente-Hernández
Sergio Jiram Vázquez-Sánchez
Jonathan Matías Chejfec-Ciociano
Gabino Cervantes-Guevara
author_sort Manuel Maciel-Saldierna
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: The increased use of social media in Mexico has given rise to the “fear of missing out” (FoMO) phenomenon, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to measure the extent of FoMO among junior high school students in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study explored the association between FoMO levels and demographic characteristics, as well as the type and frequency of social media use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 in four junior high schools. A total of 1264 students (656 females and 608 males) aged 11–16 years completed the Fear of Missing Out Scale, adapted to the Mexican context. Data on demographics, social media usage, and school shifts were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using <i>t</i>-tests, ANOVA, and correlation coefficients. Results: The mean FoMO score was 1.79 ± 0.64, with higher scores observed in females (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and students attending morning shifts (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Significant associations were found between higher FoMO scores and the use of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest (<i>p</i> < 0.001 for each). The most frequently used social media platforms were WhatsApp (1093), TikTok (828), and Instagram (583). Participants who used social media all week exhibited significantly higher FoMO scores than those who used it only on weekends (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusions: FoMO is a significant phenomenon among junior high school students in Guadalajara, Mexico, particularly among females and those who use multiple social media platforms. The findings suggest a need for interventions to manage social media use and mitigate FoMO-related negative health outcomes in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-264ee131c2fa451da1e50aa2cc3e66052024-12-27T14:45:38ZengMDPI AGPediatric Reports2036-75032024-11-011641022103310.3390/pediatric16040087Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western MexicoManuel Maciel-Saldierna0Ignacio Roberto Méndez-Garavito1Emmanuel Elizondo-Hernandez2Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco3Alejandro González-Ojeda4Sol Ramírez-Ochoa5Enrique Cervantes-Pérez6Berenice Vicente-Hernández7Sergio Jiram Vázquez-Sánchez8Jonathan Matías Chejfec-Ciociano9Gabino Cervantes-Guevara10Secundaria Mixta 56 “Juana de Asbaje”, Secretaria de Educación Jalisco, Guadalajara 44200, Jalisco, MexicoSecundaria Mixta 56 “Juana de Asbaje”, Secretaria de Educación Jalisco, Guadalajara 44200, Jalisco, MexicoSecundaria Mixta 56 “Juana de Asbaje”, Secretaria de Educación Jalisco, Guadalajara 44200, Jalisco, MexicoBiomedical Research Unit 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Guadalajara 44350, Jalisco, MexicoBiomedical Research Unit 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Guadalajara 44350, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, MexicoBiomedical Research Unit 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Guadalajara 44350, Jalisco, MexicoBiomedical Research Unit 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Guadalajara 44350, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Health Sciences University Center, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, MexicoBackground/Objectives: The increased use of social media in Mexico has given rise to the “fear of missing out” (FoMO) phenomenon, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to measure the extent of FoMO among junior high school students in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study explored the association between FoMO levels and demographic characteristics, as well as the type and frequency of social media use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 in four junior high schools. A total of 1264 students (656 females and 608 males) aged 11–16 years completed the Fear of Missing Out Scale, adapted to the Mexican context. Data on demographics, social media usage, and school shifts were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using <i>t</i>-tests, ANOVA, and correlation coefficients. Results: The mean FoMO score was 1.79 ± 0.64, with higher scores observed in females (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and students attending morning shifts (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Significant associations were found between higher FoMO scores and the use of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest (<i>p</i> < 0.001 for each). The most frequently used social media platforms were WhatsApp (1093), TikTok (828), and Instagram (583). Participants who used social media all week exhibited significantly higher FoMO scores than those who used it only on weekends (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conclusions: FoMO is a significant phenomenon among junior high school students in Guadalajara, Mexico, particularly among females and those who use multiple social media platforms. The findings suggest a need for interventions to manage social media use and mitigate FoMO-related negative health outcomes in this population.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/16/4/87adolescenceFoMOinternetmental healthsocial media
spellingShingle Manuel Maciel-Saldierna
Ignacio Roberto Méndez-Garavito
Emmanuel Elizondo-Hernandez
Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco
Alejandro González-Ojeda
Sol Ramírez-Ochoa
Enrique Cervantes-Pérez
Berenice Vicente-Hernández
Sergio Jiram Vázquez-Sánchez
Jonathan Matías Chejfec-Ciociano
Gabino Cervantes-Guevara
Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico
Pediatric Reports
adolescence
FoMO
internet
mental health
social media
title Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico
title_full Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico
title_fullStr Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico
title_short Social Media Use and Fear of Missing out: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Junior High Students from Western Mexico
title_sort social media use and fear of missing out an exploratory cross sectional study in junior high students from western mexico
topic adolescence
FoMO
internet
mental health
social media
url https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/16/4/87
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