The Birth Of Influencers

The rise of MySpace, YouTube, and underground forums opened the doors to opportunities to connect with people in a way never done before. Back then, influencers were just regular people sharing their passions in niche communities. It was common to befriend our favorite musicians on MySpace or chat with a YouTuber before their channel blew up. 

What started as small, tight-knit communities became massive fandoms as social media platforms grew. Modern social media makes it feel like we’re close friends with our favorite creators, but these are often one-sided connections. This phenomenon is strongly demonstrated in the more popular livestream communities that engage with creators in real-time.

This is the basis of parasocial relationships, a mindset where fans form emotional connections with public figures who don’t necessarily know them. This concept isn't new, but social media amplifies the effects. Our kids grow up in a world where they can directly interact with their favorite creators to the extent that they might believe they have a personal stake in their favorite influencer's lives. What does this mean for them? Are these relationships beneficial, harmful, or simply part of the online experience?

The Evolution Of Influencers And Their Fans

Our experiences with creators on early social media were more humble through forums, bulletin boards, and comment threads that were small enough for creators and fans to bond. The crucial aspect at the time was the perspective that influencers weren't different from their fans. There was no social structure putting them on an unattainable pedestal that's associated with modern influencers today. A key difference today is the popularity of live streaming. 

Live streams allow creators and fans to engage more frequently. These interactions often lead some fans to believe their connections are stronger than they realistically are. Many live streams have interactive elements like getting creators to do something on stream, giving shoutouts, or even getting featured to conversate with the creator for a short time if fans spend channel points during the stream. The abundance of live-streaming abilities on most popular social media apps makes it readily available. This is far from the interactions we're familiar with from the early days of social media. Nonetheless, influencers then and now inspire their fans for better or for worse.

The Good From Parasocial Relationships

Parasocial relationships aren’t just about influencers and celebrities, they've been around forever. As kids, we felt like Steve from Blue’s Clues was talking directly to us. Mr. Rogers made us feel seen. Even Dora asked us questions like we were part of the adventure. These characters broke the fourth wall, making us believe we were part of their world.

Honestly, that was a good thing. These fictional figures were educational role models. Whether it was cartoons, books, or video games, we formed emotional bonds with characters who taught us about kindness, creativity, and perseverance.

The same thing happens today with influencers. For kids who struggle socially, following a favorite creator can provide comfort, inspiration, or a sense of belonging in an online community. It’s beneficial when balanced correctly. Like anything else, too much attachment can lead to unhealthy effects.

When Parasocial Relationships Become Unhealthy

Parasocial relationships are unhealthy when fans genuinely believe they have a real connection with a creator who, in reality, doesn’t even know they exist. This trust makes young audiences vulnerable particularly when money is involved. Many influencers rely on subscriptions, donations, and merch sales to fund their content. Kids don’t always realize they’re being marketed to. When their favorite creator asks for support or hypes up their latest product, young fans feel obligated to buy in especially when influencers personally thank supporters on stream, making them feel like they made an impact.

If that wasn’t complicated enough, AI-generated influencers are on the rise. Kids will start to form deep attachments to influencers who aren’t even real people. This new wave of digital personalities adds another layer to parasocial relationships, and we’ll need to navigate it moving forward.” Parasocial relationships are a normal part of social interaction. Like anything else, kids need guidance for a balanced experience to benefit their long-term development. 

How We Can Help Our Kids Navigate Parasocial Relationships

Guiding our kids through parasocial relationships is as simple as having open conversations with them that teach the concepts of real connections vs online personas. We can encourage them to use their critical thinking to question the advice of influencers so they can learn to take in more perspectives that will help them decide for themselves. Outside of the digital realm, it's important to support their real-world friendships and interests to ensure they get the full benefit and balance of their relational dynamics on and off the screen.

Parasocial relationships aren't inherently bad, they have a lot of benefits for social development, academic learning, and shaping young individuals. As parents who grew up with early internet influencers, we get it. Parasocial relationships can be fun, inspiring, and even educational when balanced. By staying involved, setting boundaries, and keeping open conversations, we can help our kids with a healthy digital experience.