Saturday, July 25, 2020
Parasocial Relationships
Social media is, without a doubt, an environment that has impacted many people in one way or another. With social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, even live streaming websites like Twitch, can establish connections with our friends, families, but specifically, celebrities. The parasocial phenomenon, for those who don't know, is a situation in which fans within a celebrity's audience grow an emotional attachment to their favorite online personalities. The previously mentioned Twitch, is known to be a breeding ground for these types of relationships: fans of a particular streamer can interact with them through means of sending donations to support them in which they pay to get their attention, or if they're lucky, be addressed by the streamer themselves in a sea of many viewers. Often times, these online celebrities put out authenticity in display of their viewers, they express their thoughts, emotions, etc. as if confiding or speaking to a close friend. On Twitter, we see "stan" accounts of various celebrities like musicians or actors and actresses, who consistently follow up with their idols personal life, exaggerate aspects of their favorite celebrity's lives, etc. However, in the article "The Parasocial Phenomenon" by Annette Choi on PBS.org, it suggests that these interactions are beneficial to the viewer:"Studies have found that these parasocial relationships can help people at ease, particularly useful for those with low self-esteem, claiming their fears of social rejection," (Choi). But could these situations lead to particularly dangerous behavior. These types of connections may lead to unrealistic expectations on how to handle their real life relationships. It may perpetuate an unhealthy obsession towards these celebrities, trying to pry into their private lives. Have you ever experienced a parasocial relationship with one of your favorite celebrities? If so, have you grown out of this relationship? And how did you feel? Do you think establishing these relationships are harmful or beneficial?
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I do see the affection fans have for their favorite celebrities or "youtubers" and it is very powerful. I do have a list of my favorite "yputubers" and I don't completely feel as if I am in a relationship with them, but I do appreciate it when they share their appreciation for their fans or when they give us a little peek into their real lives. Watching their content just brightens up my day and I feel better whenever I finish watching one or ten of their videos. Although I do appreciate and respect what they do I don't become overly attached. I think there is a limit to where you can like and appreciate a celebrity and their talents, while not being in a parasocial relationship. Those who know where this limit is are safe from developing new expectations of real life relationships, which may affect in some rather unfortunate ways.
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