PEER PRESSURE AND FOMO

Abstract

This refers to the influence from members of one’s peer group (friends /
colleagues)
It may trigger many mechanisms and they are briefly explained by the
Social Learning Theory, which in a gist, means that we learn from those
within our close circles merely by interactions. Positive social interactions
boost confidence while negative social interactions instill detrimental
habits like smoking, drinking, misusing drugs, etc.

Relation

“All my friends are crazy about ‘Game of Thrones’. They spend their free
time talking about it and I often feel like an outsider. I haven’t watched a
single episode,” says Bharadwaj K, a PU student who has resisted peer
pressure so far.

Radha (name changed), parent of a teenager, says her son does not have a
phone and so he has to rely on a common television at home. “He is
allowed to watch anything. Since family is always around, he makes
appropriate choices,” she says. Unhindered...

Have we ever wondered — are we watching this for pure fun or is this
'purge-watching'? Is it peer pressure that is driving us crazy or are we
willing to watch something that interests us?

Peer pressure is not this half the reason for us watching web series in the
first place? Most of the time, we are under pressure to finish a season
because the new season is already up or we have a huge backlog and want
to brag about the number of seasons we have already watched. 

In the race to provide original and exclusive content, the providers take
advantage of the audience. Just do anything to grab eyeballs. Viewing
patterns have changed.
 FOMO

Abstract

It refers to the anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently

be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media. It
may even mean the fear of missing out on discussion because of being
unaware of the topic, and a good chunk of that discussion includes the
latest web-series which has been in the limelight recently.

Relation

Whenever I catch up with friends, the discussions revolve around which

web-series each one of us watched over the weekend. What started with
binge-watching has now turned into — 'Gosh! I have to watch it before
anyone else', or 'I need to finish the season’.

No doubt there is some good quality content too, but we are lost in this
jungle where everyone says 'this is the best web series'. We look at
suggestions made by friends or acquaintances without bothering about
what really appeals to us. this leads to the fear of being left out in the
group when discussion related to that web series occurs

- Because the discounts are time limited, we dwell a tera of missing out
3. Hunger FOMO
- To choose between two foods when you can’t pick both
- Whatever you choose feels wrong
- Making a choice becomes difficult
4. Trend FOMO
- When everybody follows the new trend but you don’t
- You feel left out
- Brews a feeling to make a purchase, leads to debt
5. Holiday FOMO
- You miss out on holidays your friends are going on
- They have few experiences that you miss out on
FACT CORNER (PEER PRESSURE)

1. Despite Indian television churning out the same old boring shows
(mind you, their audience is still huge), the world has moved on. The
content providers are exploring new ways to attract the new gen
audience. The Viral Fever (TVF) started this mad race in 2014
with Permanent Roommates. It caught the attention of the audience
immediately and left people craving for more.
2. The attention span lasts for about 20 minutes, but as viewers, we are
willing to watch an episode even if it lasts 45 minutes, without caring
about the story around it.  
3. As per reports, Indians spent 8.43 hours consuming videos on these
platforms in 2020, and the market size of the industry reached an
estimated $1.7 billion.
4. #SiwaySRK campaign (even the biggest stars are tending to take part
in the OTT race because of the increasing market capita)

5. FOMO of Missing out Shows turns out Netflix and No Chill!