Study guide · 7.2
Avoid mental health threats while using digital technologies
Online life can affect mental wellbeing as well as physical health. Recognising catfishing, FOMO and the effects of negative posts helps you protect yourself and treat others well.
A study feature written by ExamDragon, not part of the real exam. Each heading is one of Certiport's skills for this objective.
7.2.1Explain the concept of Catfishing
- Catfishing is creating a fake online identity to deceive someone, often to build a relationship, get money or gain personal information.
- Warning signs: few photos or photos that look professional, refusal to video call, a story that changes, and quick declarations of strong feelings.
- Requests for money, gifts, intimate images or secrecy are serious red flags.
- A reverse image search can show whether profile photos were taken from elsewhere.
- If you suspect catfishing, stop contact, do not send money, keep evidence, report the profile and talk to someone you trust.
Example: An online friend who never turns on video asks for help paying a medical bill; a reverse image search shows his photos belong to someone else, so the user reports and blocks the account.
7.2.2Explain “FOMO” (fear of missing out)
- FOMO, the fear of missing out, is the anxious feeling that others are having better experiences without you.
- Social media can increase it because people tend to post highlights rather than everyday life.
- It can lead to constantly checking the phone, poor sleep and making choices just to keep up.
- Helpful habits: turn off non-essential notifications, set screen-time limits and remember posts are edited and selective.
- Focusing on your own goals and offline activities reduces the pressure.
Example: Seeing friends' party photos makes a student anxious; she mutes notifications in the evening and plans her own weekend activity instead.
7.2.3Explain the potential dangers and consequences of negative media posts
- Negative posts include insults, rumours, harassment and embarrassing content about others.
- They can hurt others' mental health, and contribute to bullying and isolation.
- For the poster, consequences can include damaged reputation, school discipline, lost jobs and in some cases legal action.
- Posts can be screenshotted and shared even after deletion, so assume they are permanent.
- Pause before posting when angry; ask whether it is true, kind and necessary.
- If you are targeted, do not reply in anger: keep evidence, block, report and seek support.
Example: A student about to post an angry comment about a classmate waits, decides it would hurt and could be shared widely, and talks to the classmate in person instead.
Key terms
- Catfishing
- Using a fake online identity to deceive someone.
- FOMO
- Fear of missing out: worry that others are enjoying experiences without you.
- Reverse image search
- Searching with an image to find where else it appears online.
- Cyberbullying
- Using digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate someone.
- Digital footprint
- The trail of information you leave online, including posts and comments.
Easy to confuse
- Deleting a post does not erase copies or screenshots others have made.
- A friendly, attractive profile is not proof of a real person.
- FOMO is a feeling to manage, not a sign that you are actually missing out.
After this guide: You can explain catfishing and FOMO, recognise their warning signs and describe the consequences of negative posts.