"Parasocial Relationships through Social Media: A Look into Modern Day Media Consumption "

Abstract

One-sided relationships fostered through media consumption are on the rise due to an ever-growing necessity to fulfill interpersonal needs through social media platforms. A parasocial relationship may begin when a media performer offers their audience a sense of intimacy by expressing themselves in ways that seem engaging, and as if addressing the viewer in a personal manner. However, depending on the reason a media user may consume media, how deep their lack of interpersonal fulfillment is, and what feeling they are searching to comfort; a parasocial relationship becomes more likely to develop. Meanwhile, these one-sided relationships in practice may present themselves through extreme support or admiration for a content creator's work, hyperawareness of their behavior, or even the acknowledgment of how they meant something to the user on a personal level. Some parasocial relationships can be lighthearted, while others should be taken seriously due to the assumptions made by viewers. Equally, some people are aware of their parasocial bonds, while others are not.