Social media engagement and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in primary school children

ABSTRACT

This study explored primary school children’s personal use and views of social media and the social and psychological drivers that may underpin engagement. 100 children, aged 9 – 11 years old, in a Welsh, urban local authority completed an online questionnaire investigating social media engagement (SME) and perceptions of use, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), and ways to support young social media users. Six children were interviewed to further explore ways to overcome the reported challenges with SME. 82% of children surveyed used social media and a significant positive correlation was found between levels of FOMO and SME. Thematic analysis revealed that children enjoyed using social media and managed risks with assertiveness and initiative. However, conflict between competing motivations and underlying assumptions regarding stranger interaction could place children at risk. The findings convey a strong argument for more in-depth, psychologically informed, primary e-safety curricula addressing peer pressure, self-worth, and online interactions with strangers.

KEYWORDS:

• social media engagement
• social media use
• primary school
• fear of missing out
• belonging
• e-safety

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the children and schools who took part in this study, without whom this study would not have been possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.