Have parasocial relationships gone too far?

How these one-sided relationships are really affecting the youth’s mental health.

by Isabella Hobbs

In the age of social media, parasocial relationships are not a new conversation. Psychologists for years have been warning of the harm of these one-sided obsessions. 

Parasocial relationships used to consist of fictional characters or Hollywood starlets. Though still negative, these obsessions didn’t hold the same weight they do now. 

Social media platforms — especially ones that are composed of short-form content like TikTok and YouTube—are leading to an increase in these relationships. Viewers who are being shown a glimpse of these influencers' lives are starting to feel like they truly know them. 

A popular comment has been popping up all over social media. “My close personal friend (name of influencer/celebrity).” Although obviously a joke, it is still evidence that people do realize they are taking part in a parasocial relationship of sorts, or perhaps even poking fun at it. 

Fans are becoming entitled to these TikTok users' lives, but it's hard not to when people are becoming so comfortable sharing aspects of their everyday life—their favorite restaurants in their neighborhood, preferred workout class or gym, favorite vacation destination, and the list goes on and on. 

Viewers are being invited into their influencers' lives, and it’s becoming hard to distinguish a real relationship from a parasocial one. Some people don’t even realize they are experiencing one. 

Influencers aren’t making it any better as they often refer to their viewers as their besties or their community. This makes “fans” feel like they are standing out from the masses and being noticed, when really, they are just one of many. 

The obvious answer to the title is yes, both influencers and viewers are experiencing some semblance of a parasocial relationship. The real question is, what harm is being done because of it? 

Most importantly, people are becoming less sociable in their day-to-day lives. Viewers finding companionship in their phones aren't looking for it elsewhere. A lot of psychologists connect this to an increase in social anxiety and a decrease in sociability. Additionally, this lack of in-person social interaction also leads to a sense of isolation or loneliness, specifically for Gen Z. 

Parasocial relationships have gone too far, but the remedy may not be so simple. This codependency with influencers has worked its way into many people’s lives and has become ingrained in their “social” lives. 

Perhaps the only way we will see these parasocial relationships start to decline is with the decline of short-form content. But since that does not seem like it will be happening soon, we can assume this conversation also won’t be over for a while.