A Psychological Analysis of the Risk Associated with Using Gadgets During Other Activities in Public Spaces

This article is dedicated to exploring the psychological characteristics of individuals exhibiting the "Fear of Missing Out" (FoMO) syndrome in the Moscow metro. FoMO is considered a novel phenomenon associated with social media use and raises concerns about safety in public spaces. The data for analysis were collected using a self-developed questionnaire. The aim of the article is to investigate the psychological traits of metro passengers who use smartphones while walking, as well as to address the reasons behind such behavior. The majority of respondents used their smartphones for work or personal messaging. Other common activities included watching series, movies, or short entertainment videos. The primary reasons cited for smartphone use while walking were urgency of response, habit, and time-saving. In the analysis of psychological characteristics, significant correlations were identified between anxiety levels, the importance of social approval, and mood deterioration across the entire sample. Among respondents with higher "Frequency of Smartphone Use While Walking" scores, the importance of social approval was significantly linked to anxiety levels and mood deterioration. Conversely, those with lower scores did not exhibit such correlations. Instead, a negative correlation was observed between time spent on the internet and the importance of social approval in this group. Consequently, the article highlights the issue of safety in public spaces and calls for further research.