The rise of social media has brought out new opportunities for people who seek fame: the art of influencing.
But like most things, it comes with a downside. An influencer’s job is to connect with their fanbase, that is how they build their platform and their effect. Constructing a relationship with their fans and making them feel special is the most crucial part of their job.
Parasocial relationships are a one-sided connection where individuals develop a strong sense of intimacy, friendship, or familiarity with someone they don’t know personally, especially with celebrities.
But what happens when that relationship starts to become a little too one-sided? When the fans suddenly become artists and paint a perfect and unattainable picture of their favorite influencer in their head? When simple criticisms seem like an attack towards said influencers, and the desire to know every little detail about their lives takes over? That is what a parasocial relationship is.
These relationships are a safety net. A false sense of comfort.
Humans are social creatures, and the internet gives us access to millions of people’s lives daily, inherently satisfying our need for connection. Plus, tying this all back to influencers typically showing off their glamorized lives on their social media platforms and it’s very easy for us (their audience) to project our desire for luxury onto them. It’s what drives us to invest so much of our time into their content.
For example, Chappell Roan-a pop singer-has spoken up about this phenomenon. In a TikTok video she had this to say in response to invasive fan behavior, “It’s weird how people think that you know a person because you see them online and you listen to the art they make.” While Roan isn’t necessarily an influencer, she still has a very strong online presence and uses her platform to connect to her audience.
Another artist who has brought attention to this is rapper Doja Cat. After a fan on X encouraged her to thank her fans and express her love for them after winning a Grammy, she replied with, “I don’t though because I don’t really know y’all.” Her post caused a major uproar online and she lost thousands of followers because of it. But while it may sound harsh, it’s the truth. We do not know these people.
No matter how close one might feel to influencers online, it is crucial to recognize that the people you follow and idolize are strangers, and while they may feel love for their fans, it is more of a general love than an individualized one.
Parasocial relationships can lead to things like social media addiction and social isolation, low self-esteem, stalker-like behavior, anxiety and depression, etc. Instead of giving all your time to celebrities on the internet, invest that love and support into your family and friends.
There’s nothing wrong with casual support and tuning in now and then, but when it gets to the point where it becomes an obsession and interferes with your daily life, it might be time to disconnect from the internet.
