BharatNotes A 2025 study in Frontiers in Psychology found social media FoMO negatively affects academic performance, mediated through social anxiety. The key mechanism is passive scrolling. A 230-student randomised trial showed limiting social media to 30 minutes per day significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and loneliness within 2 weeks.
The Research on FoMO and Aspirants
A 2025 PMC study (Fear of Missing Out and its impact on social media use, psychological well-being, and academic performance) found:
- Social comparison was the single strongest predictor of FoMO
- FoMO negatively affected academic performance through increased social anxiety
- Passive scrolling — watching others' posts without interacting — was more strongly linked to anxiety and depression than active social media use
For UPSC aspirants, specific triggers include:
- Peers posting about jobs, salaries, travel, or relationships
- Coaching-centre posts claiming high selection numbers
- Topper success stories that omit failed attempts and support structures
- WhatsApp groups sharing cut-off rumours and result speculation
The 30-Minute Limit: Evidence
A 2023 randomised trial (230 students) found that limiting social media to 30 minutes per day for 2 weeks produced:
- Significantly higher positive affect
- Significantly lower anxiety, depression, loneliness, and FoMO
- Benefits observed even in participants who sometimes exceeded the limit
Practical Protocol for Aspirants
- Set a hard 30-minute daily social media limit using phone screen time controls
- Use social media only after your core study block is complete (evening, not morning)
- Actively unfollow or mute accounts that trigger comparison
- Follow accounts that discuss UPSC content — these shift the algorithm from comparison to utility
Reframe comparison when it occurs:
| Comparison thought | Accurate reframe |
|---|---|
| 'My friend got placed, I am still studying' | 'Our timelines are different. Their path is not evidence mine is wrong.' |
| 'That person cleared in first attempt, I have not' | 'First-attempt clearance is rare. Most toppers needed multiple attempts.' |
The Deeper Issue
Comparison anxiety during UPSC preparation often is about uncertainty, not social media. The antidote is a clear personal metric: Are mock scores improving? Are revision targets being met? Progress on your own plan is the only relevant benchmark.
