Fear Of Being Dropped

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Fear of Being Dropped

Fear of Being Dropped, often known as FOBD, is concern over being excluded from a group. When you participate in groups that routinely exclude and bully others, it develops.

Since the advent of hip “tribes,” which are fantastic until you have a disagreement with someone, it seems to be increasingly common. In every sphere of society, tribes can be discovered. in a classroom, a sports club, or online. You could be a member of one tribe or numerous. You can fear being dumped more as the tribe’s power over you grows.

Fear of Being Dropped from Facebook friends, Whatsapp groups, and even a sports group can sometimes make you do and say things you are uncomfortable about.  It can lead on to being involved in many different forms of bullying. This is understandable because everyone wants to be popular.  However true friends will never make you do things which will cause hurt to others.

 

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FOBD can lead to:

  • Depression and overuse of social media sites
  • Obsession with group rites of passage
  • Cutting off with family members
  • Exclusion, such as ignoring or isolating someone who is uncool
  • Taking part in  spreading rumours
  • being controlled or manipulated by the group leaders
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Signs of FOBD

It can be hard for parents to know whether or not their child is being negatively influenced by a group.  And it may be a  child is may well keep quiet about it because they’re scared parents will try and stop them joining in with their chosen set. The cooler the set of friends the more they will want to be part of it.

It is often difficult for teachers or parents to detect when a child is growing overly anxous about being dropped from a set of friends.  But some of the signs include:

  • Becoming obsessed with Facebook or other social media sites.
  • Changing patterns of behavour to fit in with the group.
  • Rejecting family values in favour of the group
  • Being particularly anxious
  • Losing confidence
  • Becoming easily distressed and withdrawn
  • Fixation with appearance or other group members
  • Bullying others to stay in with the group

 

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Who is affected by FOBD?

Nearly all children will be anxious about losing friends or being dropped by a group. They might already have been isolated or they may bully others to keep up with group norms.

Even if they aren’t directly affected, it’s likely they’ll know another child who is overly anxious about ‘staying in’.

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