Fear of Missing Out and Flexing as Manifestations of Digital Taṇhā: A Buddhist Framework for Understanding Digital Suffering
Abstract
The development of social media has intensified the phenomena of fear of missing out (FOMO) and flexing, which affect individuals’ inner peace and psychological well-being. This study analyzes FOMO and flexing as forms of digital suffering from the perspective of Buddhist teachings and formulates alternative approaches to addressing these phenomena based on the Dhamma. This study employs a qualitative approach and a literature review method. The study draws its data from Buddhist texts, particularly the Suttas, and contemporary scientific literature. The researchers analyzed the data through thematic content analysis and conceptual interpretation. The findings show that FOMO and flexing represent contemporary manifestations of taṇhā, particularly kāma-taṇhā, which focuses on sensory pleasure, and bhava-taṇhā, which drives the desire for social recognition. Issā, māna, and the tendency to compare oneself with others further intensify both phenomena. This study confirms that mindfulness, sense restraint, an understanding of anicca, and the cultivation of inner contentment can break the cycle of digital suffering. In practical terms, these findings provide an ethical and spiritual framework for developing Buddhist-based digital literacy. The originality of this study lies in its integration of the concept of taṇhā with the dynamics of FOMO and flexing as distinctive patterns of suffering in digital society.
References
Alabri, A. (2022). Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): The Effects of the Need to Belong, Perceived Centrality, and Fear of Social Exclusion. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4824256
Alutaybi, A., Al-Thani, D., McAlaney, J., & Ali, R. (2020). Combating Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) on Social Media: The FoMO-R Method. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(17), 6128. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176128
Amaro, A. (2021). The I-Making, Mine-Making Mind. Mindfulness, 12(7), 1839–1844. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01579-0
Bodhi, B. (2021). The great discourse on causation: the Mahānidāna Sutta and its commentaries. Pariyatti.
Chan, C., Ananthram, S., Thaker, K., & Liu, Y. (2022). Do religiosity and ethical principles influence ethical decision-making in a multi-faith context? Evidence from India. Journal of Business Research, 149, 772–785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.05.065
Citko, A., & Owsieniuk, I. (2020). Epidemiology and the consequences of fear of missing out (FOMO). The role of general practitioners in early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of FOMO in teenagers and young adults. Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna, 16(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.15557/PiMR.2020.0012
Cleveland, M., & Yuan, C. (2026). The motivations of conspicuous consumption in the digital age. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 38(7), 2051–2070. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-03-2025-0556
de Silva, P. (2018). Greed, the Acquisitive Drive, and Sensuality. In The Psychology of Emotions and Humour in Buddhism (pp. 17–24). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97514-6_3
Dhammavajiro, P. V., Vaisopha, K., & Srinonyang, P. (2020). Four Noble Truths : Path Leading to Cessation of Suffering. Journal of Roi Kaensarn Academi, 5(2 SE-บทความวิชาการ), 256–270. Retrieved from https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JRKSA/article/view/250114
Ditrich, T. (2022). The Ethical Foundations of Buddhist Cognitive Models. Asian Studies, 10(1), 371–398. https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2022.10.1.371-398
Fioravanti, G., Casale, S., Benucci, S. B., Prostamo, A., Falone, A., Ricca, V., & Rotella, F. (2021). Fear of missing out and social networking sites use and abuse: A meta-analysis. Computers in Human Behavior, 122, 106839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106839
Gethin, R. (1998). The foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press.
Hidayat, D., Dirantika, A., & Lampe, I. (2024). Understanding the Role of Communication Ethics in the Flexing Phenomenon on Social Media. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 40(3), 58–73. https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2024-4003-04
James, S., Karthik, S., & Thomas, B. (2025). Chasing the digital high: should hedonic consumption be viewed through the lens of behavioral addiction? Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1681307
Kemp, S. (2025). Digital 2026: Indonesia. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from Data Reportal website: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2026-indonesia
Littman-Ovadia, H., & Russo-Netzer, P. (2024). Exploring the lived experience and coping strategies of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among emerging adults. Current Psychology, 43(42), 32665–32685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06793-w
Liu, C., Chen, H., Zhuo, J.-W., & Chiou, W.-K. (2023). Editorial: Mindfulness in internet and new media. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233809
Maxwell, J. A. (2008). Designing a qualitative study. The SAGE Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods, 2, 214–253.
Milyavskaya, M., Saffran, M., Hope, N., & Koestner, R. (2018). Fear of missing out: prevalence, dynamics, and consequences of experiencing FOMO. Motivation and Emotion, 42(5), 725–737. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9683-5
Neumann, D. (2020). Fear of Missing Out. In The International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology (pp. 1–9). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119011071.iemp0185
Norman, K. R. (1997). Dhammapada (The Word of the Doctrine). In Oxfor Text Society.
Ouyang, D., & Xie, J. (2025). Buddhism Without Belonging: Functional and Digital Forms of Religious Engagement Among Chinese Youth. Religions, 16(9), 1108. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16091108
Pandey, D., Bhavsar, A., & Bajpai, A. (2026). Understanding social media addiction through Ayurveda, Yoga, and Neuroscience: A narrative review anchored in Indian Knowledge Systems. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 17(1), 101293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101293
Peacock, J. (2018). Vedanā , Ethics and Character: A Prolegomena. Contemporary Buddhism, 19(1), 160–184. https://doi.org/10.1080/14639947.2018.1455605
Phoowachanathipong, K. (2017). The effect of changes of value and behavior model of consuming in online social network using integration of Buddhist psychology for Thai novices. Journal of International Buddhist Studies, 8(1), 112–126.
Przybylski, A. K., Murayama, K., DeHaan, C. R., & Gladwell, V. (2013). Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), 1841–1848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.02.014
Rachman, A., Verawati, I., & Rusandi, M. A. (2023). Understanding ‘ flexing ’: the impact on mental health and public trust. Journal of Public Health, 45(4), e806–e807. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdad088
Rāhula, W. (1974). What the Buddha taught (Vol. 641). Grove Press.
Robertson, D. J., Malin, J., Martin, S., Butler, S. H., John, B., Graff, M., … Jones, B. C. (2023). Social media use: Attitudes, “detox,” and craving in typical and frequent users. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 4(4), 352–361. https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000120
Servidio, R., Soraci, P., Griffiths, M. D., Boca, S., & Demetrovics, Z. (2024). Fear of missing out and problematic social media use: A serial mediation model of social comparison and self-esteem. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 19, 100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100536
Siepmann, C., Holthoff, L. C., & Kowalczuk, P. (2022). Conspicuous consumption of luxury experiences: an experimental investigation of status perceptions on social media. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 31(3), 454–468. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-08-2020-3047
Somaratne, G. A. (2021a). Craving for Self-Continuity. In The Buddha’s Teaching (pp. 221–236). Singapore: Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2410-0_9
Somaratne, G. A. (2021b). The Birth-Cycle. In The Buddha’s Teaching (pp. 291–317). Singapore: Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2410-0_12
Somaratne, G. A. (2021c). The Buddha’s Teaching. Singapore: Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2410-0
Susanto, A. E. H., Nadiroh, N., Abbas, H., & Purwanto, A. (2023). Lifestyle: Flexing Behavior in Social Media. International Journal of Economics (IJEC), 2(1), 27–31. https://doi.org/10.55299/ijec.v2i1.410
Tandon, A., Dhir, A., Almugren, I., AlNemer, G. N., & Mäntymäki, M. (2021). Fear of missing out (FoMO) among social media users: a systematic literature review, synthesis and framework for future research. Internet Research, 31(3), 782–821. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-11-2019-0455
Tei, S., Fujino, J., Noda, T., & Murai, T. (2026). Digital health and Buddhist network philosophy. BJPsych Bulletin, 50(3), 270–274. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2025.10144
Thera, N. (2004). Buddhist dictionary: Manual of Buddhist terms and doctrines. Buddhist Publication Society.
Udasmoro, W., & Marai, L. (2025). “Flexing” and the Luxury Lifestyle: A Critique of the “False Solidarity” of Female Officials and Public Figures in Contemporary Indonesian Media. The Indonesian Journal of Socio-Legal Studies, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.54828/ijsls.2025v5n1.5
Uthaphan, P., & Phooriko (Phutawang), P. S. (2024). Cultivating Digital Mindfulness: Buddhist Practices for Navigating Social Media and Enhancing Well-Being. วารสารวิชาการสังคมศาสตร์สมัยใหม่ (Online), 1(6 SE-Academic Articles), 72–89. Retrieved from https://so19.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/J_ASS/article/view/1105
Wagner, H.-G. (2020). Buddhismus in China: von den Anfängen bis in die Gegenwart. Berlin: Matthes & Seitz.
Wahyuningtyas, I., IM Hambali, & Muslihati. (2024). Profil Kecenderungan Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) Pada Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas. G-Couns: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 9(2), 984–991. https://doi.org/10.31316/g-couns.v9i2.6764
Wangmo, K., & Kumar, R. (2025). Revisiting Buddhist Art of Living and Philosophy of Life. Dhammacakka Journal of Buddhism and Applied Buddhism, 1(2), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.3126/djbab.v1i2.87328
We Are Social. (2025). Digital 2026: Top digital and social media trends in Indonesia. Retrieved November 11, 2025, from We Are Social website: https://wearesocial.com/id/blog/2025/11/digital-2026-top-digital-and-social-media-trends-in-indonesia/
Wilcockson, T. D. W., Osborne, A. M., & Ellis, D. A. (2019). Digital detox: The effect of smartphone abstinence on mood, anxiety, and craving. Addictive Behaviors, 99, 106013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.06.002
Yusainy, C., Fitria, I., Sarirah, T., Barlaman, M. H. A., Timothy, J. A., Effendi, M. G., … Santosoputro, A. (2025). Someone just posted on Instagram: Conspicuous consumption, anticipated engagement, and trait mindfulness. The Journal of General Psychology, 152(3), 403–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.2024.2404399
Copyright (c) 2026 Wisnu Murti Sri Budiarto, Julia Surya, Feri Viradhammo Lee, Melva Audina, Novita Kumalasari, Riasih, Septi Susanti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
. This work is licensed under a 