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Exploring the Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) Among Adolescents

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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, an international, peer-reviewed Open Access journal.

Summary

This empirical study investigates the correlation between problematic internet use and mental health indicators in adolescents, specifically focusing on gender differences in the 'Fear of Missing Out'. While it addresses behavioral impacts of digital technology, it does not engage with artificial intelligence safety, frontier model capabilities, or catastrophic risk reduction. The findings are primarily relevant to public health policy and psychology rather than AI governance or existential risk frameworks.

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11 pages, 378 KB   Open AccessArticle Exploring the Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) Among Adolescents by Ethan H. Yu, Chelsea Olson and Megan A. Moreno Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(5), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23050605 (registering DOI) - 3 May 2026 Abstract (1) Background: Previous studies have shown that increased Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is associated with higher Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). However, the role of gender in this association remains unclear. Evidence suggests that males and females may experience PIU and FoMO differently, [...] Read more. (1) Background: Previous studies have shown that increased Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is associated with higher Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). However, the role of gender in this association remains unclear. Evidence suggests that males and females may experience PIU and FoMO differently, warranting further examination of gender differences. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 4370 U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 years (47% female) were recruited through Qualtrics research panels and completed a national online survey on adolescent health and technology. Demographic information collected included age, race, and gender. PIU was measured using the validated three-item Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS-3), while FoMO was measured using a validated 10-item FoMO scale. Multiple linear regression analysis examined the relationship between PIU and FoMO, including an interaction term between PIU and gender to assess the potential gender moderation effect while adjusting for age and race. (3) Results: Gender significantly moderated the relationship between PIU and FoMO, indicating that males experience a stronger association between PIU and FoMO compared to females. While higher PIU scores were significantly associated with higher FoMO for both males and females, each unit increase in PIU corresponded to a 0.15 point increase in FoMO for females (SE = 0.01, p < 0.01), and an additional 0.03 point increase for males (SE = 0.01, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: These findings illustrate the complex relationship between PIU and FoMO, highlighting the importance of gender-specific strategies and targeted interventions for promoting healthy Internet use. Full article (This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Wellbeing, Mental Health and Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescents) ►▼ Show Figures Figure 1