Social Media & Parasocial Relationships - One Way Friendships - HealthSurgeon - Healthy Living and Fitness

When starting a new TV show it can be easy to get attached to the characters on the screen. With how long some TV shows last nowadays you may even form a connection or become invested in these characters’ lives. When you develop a one sided relationship that has connection, intimacy or familiarity with someone you don’t know is called a parasocial relationship.

These parasocial relationships are usually made with celebrities, live-action fictional characters, social media influencers, or other figures you may encounter through media. Media can be movies, TV shows, podcasts, radio talk shows, or social media platforms. Some people form parasocial relationships with musicians, or sports professionals.

These parasocial relationships are thought to be quite common. That many people form them. All ages can form parasocial relationships, including teens and children. These parasocial relationships are known by the person as not being real. They know that their relationship with these media figures is not real. It can however cause you to have real emotions as if the relationship is real. Meaning you may respond emotionally if a TV show you have been watching all of a sudden ends, or an actor you have been watching in movies your whole life passes away. Some people may even experience grief when a media personality they are connected to passes away.

Parasocial breakups can follow a parasocial relationship. This is when the parasocial relationship you have developed is no longer in the public view. This could be from retirement, death, or the end of a TV show. It may have to be processed like an actual breakup for some people. Having to grieve or move on from the breakup.

Humans are social by nature. We want to form connections with people. If we find a character that has a similar upbringing, or we can relate to personally it is normal to feel connected to them, even without getting any reciprocation in the relationship. Some studies find that people who tend to stay to themselves or are lonely may have a greater chance of forming parasocial relationships. On the other spectrum studies show that people who are highly social and more likely to form real world relationships may also be more likely to form parasocial relationships.

Parasocial relationships aren’t usually unhealthy. There are some benefits to them for some people. They may be more appealing to someone who has little self confidence or who struggles with real life social interaction. These parasocial relationships are less demanding, there are no conflicts, no favors, or maintenance. They will seem easier being one sided. If you are afraid of rejection, you don’t have to worry about that with a parasocial relationship. If you lack confidence, parasocial relationships may help you feel safe, they can also help boost confidence especially if you start interacting with personalities online or through social media.

In rare cases parasocial relationships can take an unhealthy turn. If your relationship starts to turn stalker-ish. If it starts taking up too much of your time and stops you from engaging in the real world. Parasocial relationships can be unhealthy if it starts to replace real world relationships and you start prioritizing parasocial relationships over other things. Feeling tethered to the other person’s opinions instead of your own can also be deemed unhealthy. These relationships can also help someone find their identity or other people that they are connected with. In some cases when someone forms a parasocial relationship with someone others also have a connection to, fan groups are formed, which can take a parasocial relationship into real world connections with others who like the same things you do.

Parasocial relationships can impact a person’s political views, voting decisions, purchasing behavior, and trust in various groups of people depending on the person they are following. This is not always negative.

Parasocial relationships are normal and fairly common in children, teens, and adults. Think of hanging your favorite musicians posters on your bedroom walls when growing up. These relationships are one sided relationships that a person extends time, energy, and emotion towards another person who does not know them. They are usually not bad, but if they start interfering into your daily life should be addressed.