Internet Addiction, Fear of Missing Out, and Psychological Well Being: A Quantitative Study of Grade 9 Students at Pantar National High School, Philippines

Abstract

Background and Aim: The rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed adolescents’ social interactions and learning experiences, but it has also contributed to emerging psychosocial concerns, particularly internet addiction and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). FoMO refers to the pervasive apprehension that others may be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent, often leading to excessive online engagement and psychological distress. Although previous studies have documented the adverse effects of problematic internet use and FoMO on mental health, limited empirical evidence has examined their combined influence on psychological well-being among Filipino adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the predictive effects of internet addiction and FoMO dimensions—belonging, popularity, anxiety, and addiction—on the psychological well-being of Grade 9 students at Pantar National High School, Division of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. Materials and Methods: A quantitative correlational research design was employed. The participants consisted of 100 Grade 9 students selected through stratified random sampling to ensure adequate representation across sections. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Online Fear of Missing Out Inventory (OFoMOI), and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the levels of the study variables, while Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine relationships and predictive effects. Results: The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between internet addiction and psychological well-being (r = −.41, p < .01), indicating that higher levels of compulsive internet use were associated with poorer psychosocial functioning. All FoMO dimensions were significantly related to reduced psychological well-being, with FoMO anxiety (r = −.32, p < .01) and FoMO popularity (r = −.29, p < .05) demonstrating the strongest associations. Multiple regression analysis further showed that internet addiction (β = −.32, p < .01) and FoMO anxiety (β = −.28, p < .01) were the most significant predictors, collectively accounting for 42% of the variance in psychological well-being. Conclusion: The study highlights the substantial role of digital behavioral factors in shaping adolescent psychological well-being. The findings provide localized evidence from the Philippine educational context and underscore the importance of integrating digital literacy, emotional regulation, and FoMO-awareness initiatives into school-based mental health programs. Such interventions may help promote healthier technology use and strengthen students’ psychosocial resilience in an increasingly digital society.