Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Ahead of Print.
In the era of the mobile Internet, online groups, which often serve as a primary form of communication and socialization and provide support within personal networks, have become an important cyberspace for adolescents. While the prevalence of being kicked out from online groups is relatively high, the influence of such online exclusion and its underlying mechanisms have been less studied. This study examined the relationship between being kicked out (BKO) from WhatsApp groups and students’ school achievement was explored. Valid participants were 858 students (Mage = 14.01 years, SDage = 2.23) from middle schools and high schools. A negative relationship was found between BKO and students’ grade point average. Fear of missing out, problematic social media use, and internalizing symptoms played mediating roles in this association. This study may provide valuable insights for programs aimed at improving students’ academic performance and well-being.