Remember when you called someone on the wall telephone or leaned over the railing or fence to talk to your neighbor about what was going on in the neighborhood - well those days are long gone. Fast forward to today - our online lives are becoming more complicated. We are becoming overwhelmed with juggling the increasing number of social networks and email accounts we manage. We suffer from a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).
Adults were surveyed who were currently a member of more than one social networking site with at least one email address. The survey found that 42 percent of online adults manage multiple social networking profiles -- a number that jumps to 61 percent for those in 18-34 year age range. More than half of all respondents (51 percent) belong to more social networks or visit their networks more frequently than two years ago.
MyLife is an online hub to manage your online life. It has more than 63 million users and is based in Los Angeles CA. It commissioned a survey from May 31-June 4, 2013 amongst 2,084 adults aged 18 and older. "It's universally accepted that people are living much of their lives online – their 'Internet identities' are their true identities" - Jeff Tinsley, CEO of MyLife. "People desire one single experience to manage their identities, connections and messages across services as the problem is only getting worse every day." Tinsley continues "It's universally accepted that people are living much of the lives online – their 'Internet identities' are their true identities, and they are spending an increasing amount of time managing all their connections and communications across multiple services, leading consumers to feel overwhelmed." "Our second annual survey on social media behavior proves, once again that people desire one single experience to manage their identities, connections and messages across services as the problem is only getting worse every day."
Our personal and professional online behavior shows that email is still relevant to us. Our adoption of LinkedIn is on the rise growing from 22 percent to 29 percent over the last year. Foursquare is least popular network amongst respondents.
Beyond calls or texts to mobile phones, 57 percent of users stay in touch with friends through personal email accounts. This is more than via social networks (47 percent) or landline calls (37 percent).
56 percent said they experience anxiety around missing an important event or status update if they don't keep an eye on their social networks. Social networking is our addiction. Facebook is our Crackbook. 26 percent of respondents also reported they would rather give up cigarettes or reality TV before they would give up their social networking profiles.
Half of the social networker respondents reported experiencing FOMO, worrying whether they have missed something critical from a co-worker, their boss, friend or family member.
Is it possible that our FOMO, our addiction to Facebook and other social networking sites is keeping us away from living our real life.
Contact: Rick Van Akin, owner of Computer Troubleshooters in Brookfield, for all your computer needs. (203) 702-2103 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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