FOMO to doom-scrolling: How the internet changed human behaviour

july  1, 2025

Images: Shutterstock

Since its introduction in the late 20th century, the internet has irrevocably changed almost every aspect of human life, impacting how we communicate, learn, work and even our perception of the world.

Thus, it's natural for the internet to have impacted human behaviour in some way. Here are some human behaviours influenced by the internet.

“Fear of missing out” is a type of social anxiety caused by the worry of missing out on a seemingly exciting opportunity, especially caused by what one sees on social media.

FOMO

It’s a one-sided, non-reciprocal relationship that a person (fans) forms with media figures (influencers, fictional characters). K-pop fandoms are an example.

Parasocial bonds

The advent of the digital age has enabled fans to connect at an unprecedented scale, from online communities (chat rooms) to sharing fan art and fan fiction with the world within seconds.

Fan culture

It is a behaviour, seen especially on social media, marked by a mass withdrawal of public support from a person or brand because they have done or said something offensive.

Cancel culture

It is the act of compulsively consuming negative news that makes one feel anxious and angry. It stems from the need to stay in control, but often spirals into a negative feedback loop.

Doomscrolling

It’s the tendency to stay in bed for long periods of time while scrolling through social media, watching TV or eating snacks.

Bed rotting

This refers to the deliberate suppression of one’s opinion when one believes they’re in the minority. It tends to be amplified on social media due to cancel culture.

Spiral of silence

9 mind games your brain plays on you

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