Students’ Fear of Missing Out Predicts In-Class Social Media Use

• Published in: Teaching of psychology Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 141 - 150
• Main Authors: Shane-Simpson, Christina, Bakken, Tatiana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-04-2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: College Students; Course Content; Educational materials; Instructional Materials; Online Surveys; Social Media; Social networks; Student Centered Learning; Students; study time; fear of missing out; social media; multitasking; class time
• DOI: 10.1177/00986283211060752
• EISSN: 1532-8023
• ISSN: 0098-6283

Background
College students frequently identify social media sites (SMSs) as in-class distractions, although students continue to use these sites during class. In a technology-driven world, students’ fear of missing out (FOMO) may drive SMS behaviors, whereby classes and study time serve as obstacles to fulfilling one’s social desires.
Objective
The current study investigated whether students’ use of SMSs during class and study time was predicted by demographic characteristics and students’ FOMO.
Method
Participants (N = 198) completed an online survey assessing their media use during class and study time, FOMO, and their perceived advantages/disadvantages of media use.
Results
In-class Twitter and Instagram use were predicted by students’ FOMO, whereas Snapchat and Facebook use were only predicted by age. Age also predicted Snapchat use during study time. Most participants indicated that media was a distraction, while also reporting a range of benefits from media multitasking.
Conclusion
Given that students recognize both benefits and drawbacks of media multitasking, they may trade-off between their desire to engage with learning materials and their desire to stay socially connected with others.
Teaching Implications
Educators can begin to address the socio-emotional needs of students through modifications made to course design and student-centered learning materials.