Parasocial
Stable🎒High SchoolDefinition
A one-sided relationship where one person extends emotional energy toward someone (usually a celebrity/influencer) who doesn't know they exist. Used to call out unhealthy fandom.
Translation for Parents
It's when your kid feels like they're best friends with a YouTuber who has 10 million subscribers. The YouTuber has no idea they exist. Your kid knows this intellectually but emotionally? That's their bestie. It's actually a real psychology term that Gen Z adopted.
Examples
“Your parasocial relationship with that streamer is getting weird”
“You're too emotionally invested in someone who doesn't know you exist”
“I know it's parasocial but I genuinely miss them when they don't upload”
“I know they don't know me, but I feel sad when they don't post new content”
Cringe Score
Mildly embarrassing
Using 'parasocial' correctly actually makes you sound smart. It's the SAT word of internet culture.
Category
digital culture
Peak
2022-06
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
urban_dictionary, reddit