Teen Slang · Mood & feelings

What does “FOMO” mean?

'Fear of missing out' — anxiety that others are having fun without you, often fueled by social media.

Where “FOMO” comes from

Coined in a 2004 college magazine, popularized in a 2013 dictionary update; supercharged by the rise of Stories and live feeds.

Why teens actually say it

Names a real, common feeling that scrolling intensifies — seeing everyone's highlight reel in real time.

What it means for you as a parent

A genuine emotional pressure, not just a buzzword. A good entry point for talking about how feeds distort reality and why breaks help.

How it’s used

  • “Everyone’s at the lake without me, major FOMO.” Anxious about missing out, often fueled by social feeds. Left out.
  • “I came out just because of FOMO, honestly.” Showing up mostly to avoid feeling excluded. Restless.

← Browse the full A–Z teen slang glossary (500+ terms)

Contact us Have a question? Need help? Send us a note — we read every message.