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Illustration of a person sitting on the floor, knees pulled in, crying into their hands, suggesting emotional distress or heartbreak.
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Social media and relationships: parasocial relationships
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Illustration of various stylised microbes, including bacteria and viruses, representing sexually transmitted infections.

Social media and relationships: parasocial relationships

What is a parasocial relationship? A simple explanation of one-sided emotional connections with celebrities, creators and public figures.
Illustration of a hand holding a phone displaying a dating app profile of a woman named Jamilia, 23, with like and dislike buttons.

What is a parasocial relationship?

A parasocial relationship is when someone feels close to a person they do not actually know.

For example:

  • A celebrity
  • A podcaster
  • A content creator

The person on screen does not know them, but they may feel a strong connection.

All illustrations thanks to SWIRL

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