The Digital Dilemma: Addiction of Internet, its Impact on Emotional Intelligence and Fear of Missing Out in Youth

Abstract

This study is to determine the association between internet addiction, emotional intelligence, and young FOMO keeping that 64% of Pakistanis are under 30. While emotional intelligence is inversely correlated with both FOMO and online addiction, internet addiction is a major contributing factor to FOMO. using stratified random sampling and a correlational investigation. This study used stratified random sampling and a correlational research approach to investigate the connections between internet addiction, FOMO (fear of missing out), and emotional intelligence among youth. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between internet addiction and FOMO (r = .50, p < .01), while emotional intelligence was negatively correlated with both internet addiction (r = –.11, p < .01) and FOMO (r = –.08, p < .05). Stepwise regression analysis indicated that internet addiction significantly predicted, accounting for 26% of the variance. No significant gender differences found in levels of internet addiction, FOMO, or emotional intelligence. Similarly, ANOVA results showed that age did not significantly influence FOMO. These findings highlight the interplay between emotional intelligence and digital behavior in youth, suggesting important implications for interventions aimed at mitigating internet addiction and FOMO through emotional competence development.