Reducing Social media addiction via the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)
(A2025-125807)

AUTHORS

Saleh Shuqair, Universidad de las Islas Baleares; Diego Costa Pinto, NOVA IMS Lisbon; Rafael Wagner, NOVA Information Management School

ABSTRACT

Social media addiction is a growing concern issue that often harms individuals’ productivity and well-being. This study introduces the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) as a novel psychological mechanism to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive social media use. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, we propose that JOMO, in contrast to the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), enhances well-being through two sequential mechanisms: self-enhancement and state authenticity. We find that JOMO fosters self-enhancement by encouraging engagement in meaningful activities that reinforce self-image, which subsequently enhances state authenticity by aligning actions with intrinsic values. Our findings contribute to the literature on social media addiction, self-enhancement, and authenticity, and offer theoretical and practical implications for promoting digital well-being and reducing overdependence of social media.