The FOMO Fog and the Reset Button

The Bubble Ship floated beside a neon constellation.

Nobody looked up.

New story. New comment. New notification.

Miki: Right. That was the last one.

ONE MORE ROUND?

Miki: Okay. After this one.

Huba: The meteor shower's gone.

Lili: I'll look in a minute.

Huba: Great. I'll ask it to turn around.

Lili: What if something happens right now?

Miki: What if they carry on without me?

Miki: One more minute. One more round.

Huba: Lili. Miki. Can we talk for a minute when this match is over?

Miki: Just don't switch it off now!

Huba: I won't switch it off.

Huba: I'd rather not restart the ship just because someone hasn't had lunch.

The cabin suddenly grew quieter.

ONE MORE ROUND?

Lili: Why is it so hard to stop?

Lili: It's not even that interesting anymore. It's just… something might pop up.

Miki: And I don't want to let the others down.

Miki: If I leave, they'll carry on without me.

Huba: That's our FOMO Fog.

Huba: FOMO means fear of missing out.

Huba: It makes you want to stay, even when you'd rather do something else.

Lili: So I haven't secretly become a tablet accessory?

Huba: I haven't found a charging port on you yet.

Miki: I have said ‘one more round’ quite a few times.

Huba: Notifications, new rewards and endless new content can keep calling you back.

Huba: You can still enjoy gaming and chatting online.

Huba: Do you want to carry on, or are you afraid of what happens if you stop?

Lili: I want a drink. And some food. And to see that meteor shower.

Miki: That needs a time machine.

Lili: I'll start with the water, then.

Huba: Screen Check. Three questions.

Huba: How do I feel? What keeps me here? What do I choose?

Miki: I'm tired. My team's keeping me here.

Miki: I'm choosing a break now. But I'll tell them first.

Miki: I'm logging off for today. Have fun! See you tomorrow!

OK, BYE!

Miki: That's it?

Huba: The galaxy seems to be coping.

Lili: It would help if it didn't keep pinging.

Lili: And at mealtimes, it can stay at the far end of the table.

Miki: I'll agree in advance how long I'll play.

Miki: I'll set a reminder before the match ends. Then the new-round button won't be the only thing talking to me.

Huba: Try it. If it doesn't work, change it.

Huba: If stopping keeps being hard and you miss out on rest or other important things, talk to an adult you trust.

Huba: You don't have to figure it all out alone.

Lili: Where are we stopping next?

Huba: The space station park.

Miki: Basketball?

Lili: I'm in. But lunch first.

Huba: That order has my professional approval.

Both tablets stayed on the table.

The ship turned towards the space station.

Lili: So, tell me. Did you win that match in the end?

The Fog slowly lifted.

This time, the Reset Button didn't need a single tap on a screen.

Teacher guide and answer notesPrint
INFOGALAXIS · MOD_07 · 12–16

The FOMO Fog and the Reset Button

Teacher guide and answer notes

Aim: Distinguishing a personal choice from fear of missing out.

15 minutes after reading: 0–3 minutes recall a scene; 3–10 minutes discuss; 10–15 minutes try the joint activity and wrap up.

Discussion starters:

What do Lili and Miki want, and what keeps them at their screens?

What changes when Miki says goodbye to his team?

How am I feeling? What is keeping me here? What do I choose now?

Lili is waiting for new notifications; Miki does not want to let his team down. Saying goodbye maintains the connection while making room for a break. Several solutions can work: an agreed stopping point, a reminder or fewer notifications. There is no single time limit for everyone.

Shorter version: one question. Longer version: compare two possible solutions.

To finish: name one clue from the story and one possible next step.

No one has to share personal experiences. Answers are not graded. Asking for help should not lead to shame or automatic punishment.

Teacher answer notes

Worksheet notes: 1. Lili: new content and notifications; Miki: his team and fear of missing out. 2. How do I feel? What keeps me here? What do I choose? 3. For example: “I am taking a break now. Have fun!” Other friendly answers work too. 4. An agreement that fits the person, with a review together; there is no single correct time limit.

FOMO radar answers 1–8: true, false, true, false, true, false, true, false. Each card gives its own explanation.

Decisions: 1 – B; 2 – C; 3 – A. Story order: noticing → goodbye message → reply → shared plans. The score is practice feedback, not a diagnosis or a grade.

Parent discussion guidePrint
INFOGALAXIS · MOD_07 · 12–16

The FOMO Fog and the Reset Button

Parent discussion guide

A 10-minute conversation together. You could start with: I do not want to take away something you enjoy. I want to understand when you want to carry on and when stopping feels difficult.

What do Lili and Miki want, and what keeps them at their screens?

How am I feeling? What is keeping me here? What do I choose now?

Choose one agreement to try together, such as a break after a match or a shared meal without notifications. Agree when to discuss whether it worked. If sleep or other important activities keep getting pushed aside, ask a trusted adult for support.

No one has to share personal experiences. Answers are not graded. Asking for help should not lead to shame or automatic punishment.

WorksheetPrint
INFOGALAXIS · MOD_07 · 12–16

The FOMO Fog and the Reset Button

Worksheet

You do not need to write a real name or personal details on the worksheet.

1. What keeps Lili at her screen, and what keeps Miki at his?

2. Write down the three Screen Check questions.

3. Write a short goodbye message for an imaginary player who chooses a break.

4. Suggest one agreement to try together and say when you would check whether it worked.