The Anxiety of Keeping Up
What are young people doing in the bustling cafés of Jakarta, the crowded streets of Bali, and the vibrant corners of Bandung? Most of these youths are busy scrolling through TikTok or Instagram feeds. It’s challenging to separate them from their gadgets, to ask them to disconnect from the carefully curated snapshots of content creators’ perfect lives—from lavish events and exotic vacations to the latest product endorsements.
Yet, behind these meticulously filtered posts lies a spectrum of anxiety, restlessness, and an endless quest for validation that shapes how our youth perceive and navigate the world.
The Digital Shackles
For many young Indonesians, smartphones have become extensions of themselves, gateways to a limitless stream of information and experiences. According to a survey from “We Are Social”, 60 percent of internet users in Indonesia are under 35, with the majority belonging to Generation Z. The digital world offers both an escape and a stage, but it can also be an exhausting place.
In major cities like Jakarta, where social dynamics are ever-evolving, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is rampant. A research by Youthlab reveals that Indonesian young people exhibit clear FOMO behaviors. This includes fear of missing out on information, an obsessive need to monitor others’ social media activities, anxiety about being left behind, and a compulsive drive to stay updated with the latest trends.
These digital shackles significantly impact the Indonesian Generation Z. The pressure induced by FOMO forces them to portray seemingly perfect lives on social media, ultimately increasing stress and anxiety. Jonathan Haidt’s book, “Anxious Generation,” which addresses teenage issues in the United States, finds that the generation living in the social media era is more anxious and faces more psychological problems than previous generations.
Social media also drives young people to chase virality, buy influencer-promoted products, and flaunt the latest trends, leading not only to psychological issues but also economic and physical problems.
Manifestations of FOMO
The desire to belong to a peer group and avoid social isolation is deeply ingrained in the minds of young people. This desire manifests as anxiety if they do not check social media every second, minute, and hour, which leads them to carry chargers everywhere, even to the bathroom. This phenomenon shows that FOMO affects not just online behavior but also everyday actions.
Additionally, there is a habit of comparing oneself to what is seen on social media and in real life. The constant feeling of being left behind because others’ lives seem more interesting, better, and more successful is pervasive. One of the most common comparisons is how easy the lives of content creators appear—living lavishly, receiving endorsed products, and not having to work a 9-to-5 job. Wow, how cool!
Unconsciously, we see these things and want to be like them. Youthlab’s research also reveals that many young Indonesians buy items just to use the same products as content creators. The urge to keep up with what content creators use to stay current with trends shows how our youth follow the flow and feel anxious if they cannot keep up.
Unveiling the Truth behind FOMO
Humans have an inherent desire to connect with others. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory states that building relationships is a basic human need. Erik Erikson’s theory on human development stages also posits that in early adulthood (often referred to as youth), people must form relationships to avoid feelings of isolation.
Indonesia’s collective culture exacerbates the FOMO drive. Many young people feel trapped by societal expectations, whether in terms of achievements or meeting social standards. The urge to continuously meet these demands drives individuals to always stay updated on current social conditions, prevailing norms, and contemporary living standards. The fear of being “different” because they do not meet these standards forces individuals to follow the digital information flow.
Moving Forward: Solutions and Reflections
Amid this digital labyrinth, our youth face a paradoxical struggle: to connect yet avoid losing their true selves. The challenge is to find a balance between digital presence and genuine well-being.
The first step to minimizing FOMO’s influence is digital education. Educational institutions can start teaching digital literacy from an early age, considering that children now possess gadgets. Digital literacy involves the ability to critically engage with the digital world. Furthermore, educational institutions and families can teach children to set clear time boundaries for social media use. Another alternative is to designate gadget-free times for real-world activities.
The next step is to develop and provide programs that support mental health, including easy access to counseling and therapy to help manage social media-related stress and anxiety. As FOMO has become a social problem, social support is crucial in addressing this issue. Building strong offline communities where young people can engage in enriching activities without the pressure to publicize every detail of their lives, is a form of support that communities can provide.
Ultimately, young people must balance their online and offline time. With the right approach, they can learn to enjoy the benefits of technology while maintaining their mental health and well-being. This challenge will shape the future of a generation, capable of wisely navigating the complex interplay between technology and their identities.