The urge to fit in and appear “relevant” has always shaped how young people behave. Every generation has its own markers of status and belonging, but today FOMO has reached new extremes through gadgets, especially the iPhone.
What was once a simple communication device is now treated as a status symbol. In India, the iPhone craze has exploded in the last decade. Many young buyers, even those with limited income, purchase the latest model just to match peers.
Reports have surfaced of professionals taking heavy EMIs, teens pressuring parents beyond their means, and even tragic incidents where youngsters harmed themselves when denied the phone. This reveals a disturbing mindset where owning an iPhone defines self-worth.
The obsession has also led to thefts, scams, and desperate actions where people sold valuables or took dangerous steps just to buy one. Social media and influencers flaunting iPhones further reinforce the belief that it is a mark of success.
While the iPhone is a world-class product, this unhealthy attachment is worrying. The solution lies in financial literacy, mindful parenting, and rejecting marketing hype. A phone, whether iPhone or Android, should serve a purpose, not define personal value.
