3 Minute FOMO Test

Based on the work of Dr. Andrew Przybylski, Ph.D.

Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a novel concept in psychology. FOMO refers to the feeling or perception that others are having more fun, living better lives, or experiencing better things than oneself. It involves a deep sense of envy and affects a person’s self-esteem. FOMO is often believed to be exacerbated by social media sites.

Instructions: Below is a list of questions that relate to life experiences common among people who have been experiencing FoMO. Please read each question carefully and indicate whether it applies to you or not.

Your privacy is protected. All results are anonymous.

Question 1 of 10

I get uneasy when I am not up-to-date on my social networking sites.

Not me. Describes me somewhat. Definitely me.

The IDRlabs 3 Minute FOMO Test (IDR-3MFoMOT) was developed by IDRlabs. The IDR-3MFoMOT is based on the work of Dr. Andrew Przybylski, Dr. Kou Murayama, Dr. Cody DeHaan, and Dr. Valerie Gladwell, who created the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS). The IDR-3MFoMOT is not associated with any specific researchers in the field of psychopathology or any affiliated research institutions.

The IDRlabs 3 Minute FoMO Test was informed by the FoMOs’ criteria for FoMO, as published in Przybylski, A., Murayama, K., DeHaan, C., & Gladwell, V. (2013). Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior 29, 4: 1841-1848; Wegmann, E., Oberst, U., Stodt, B. & Brand, M. (2017). Online-specific fear of missing out and internet use expectancies contribute to symptoms of internet-communication disorder. Addictive Behavior Reports, 5, 33-42.

The work of Dr. Przybylski, Dr. Murayama, Dr. DeHaan, & Dr. Gladwell has also informed some of the diagnostic criteria in the form of the widely used psychological instrument, the FoMOS, for clinical use especially by qualified mental health professionals. The present test is intended for educational purposes only. IDRlabs and the present IDRlabs 3 Minute FoMO Test are independent of the above researchers, organizations, or their affiliated institutions.

The 3 Minute FoMO Test is based on a famous and well-regarded inventory for the assessment of the Fear of Missing Out, which is the apprehension that one is not experiencing the pleasurable activities that others are. However, free online tests and quizzes such as this one are solely first takes and cannot provide accurate assessments of your potential personality disorder. Hence, the test is intended to be used for educational purposes only. A definitive mental health assessment can be made only by a qualified mental health professional.

As the publishers of this free online 3 Minute FoMO test, which allows you to screen yourself for the signs and symptoms of this condition, we have strived to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting it to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present 3 Minute FoMO Test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.

Why Use This Test?

1. Free. This 3 Minute FOMO Test is delivered to you free of charge and will allow you to obtain your scores related to the pervasive apprehension that you are missing out on the pleasurable activities experienced by others.

2. Clinically oriented. The feedback delivered by this instrument is based on the work of Ph.D.s and is designed to deliver a clear picture of the respondent’s current behavior indicating FoMO as measured according to standardized items.

3. Statistical controls. Statistical analysis of the test is conducted to ensure maximum accuracy and validity of the test scores.

4. Made by professionals. The present test has been made with the input of people who work professionally with psychology and individual differences research.