FOMO is short for "fear of missing out". It is an emotional response to the belief that other people are living better, more satisfying lives or that important opportunities are being missed. FOMO often leads to social comparison, which can increase dissatisfaction with ones own life and experience. The term was first studied in 1996 by marketing strategist Dr. Dan Herman, but it was popularized in 2004 by Harvard MBA student Patrick McGinnis. FOMO has become more prevalent with the rise of smartphones and social media, which make it easier than ever to see what other people are doing. While FOMO is not a mental health condition, it can be a symptom of a bigger problem.