# Sexting Behaviors and Fear of Missing out Among Young Adults

## TL;DR

This study explores how fear of missing out (FoMO) is linked to risky sexting behaviors in young adults, finding it predicts sexting under substance use and for emotion regulation.

## Contribution

The study identifies FoMO as a predictor of risky sexting behaviors in young adults, a group less studied than adolescents.

## Key findings

- FoMO predicts risky sexting under substance use and for emotion regulation.
- The link between FoMO and sexting for emotion regulation is stronger among LGB individuals.
- FoMO does not influence experimental sexting behaviors.

## Abstract

Fear of missing out (FoMO) creates a strong urge to stay continuously connected and informed about peers’ activities, identified as a risk factor for problematic social media use and risky behaviors. Sexting is generally defined as the exchange of sexually suggestive or explicit photos, videos, or text messages through cell phones or other technologies. Despite its social relevance, the link between FoMO and sexting remains underexplored. This study examines their relationship in young adults—an understudied group compared to adolescents—while controlling for age, sex, and sexual orientation. The study surveyed 911 Italian young adults (18–30 years, Mage = 22.3, SDage = 2.57, 74% women, 70.4% heterosexual) through an online questionnaire. The results indicate that FoMO predicts only risky sexting behaviors (sexting under substance use and sexting for emotion regulation) while not influencing experimental sexting (sending one’s own sexts). Additionally, the link between FoMO and sexting for emotion regulation is stronger among LGB individuals. Therefore, FoMO has proven to be strongly related to the two kinds of risky sexting but not to experimental sexting. Understanding this relationship can inform prevention and intervention programs on relationships, online communication, and sexting in young adults.