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But what is a parasocial relationship? “It’s when a person has the impression of having a relationship with a known person or imagines having a relationship,” describes Marie-Anne Sergerie. But there is a kind of one-way relationship where there is no reciprocity. »
Fame has always existed, recalls Nellie Brière, consultant for digital communications and social networks. However, digital brings a greater sense of closeness. “We always have our mobile phones with us and consume the content by ourselves,” she explains. In addition, the formatting, like the stories, allows his life to be documented and staged. »
Social networks are platforms on which the dissemination of personal information is somewhat less filtered. It can give the impression of proximity and access to privileged content.
Marie-Anne Sergerie, psychologist
It’s therefore normal to know – almost – everything about the recent breakup of our favorite celebrity, to be worried about the pet of a celebrity that we follow faithfully, or to know exactly what several celebrities were up to during their holiday season.
Parasocial relationships have also increased with the growing number of public figures – whether celebrities or influencers – on social media. “The relationship between a subscriber and an influencer comes from a person who is going to give a lot of content,” says Emmanuelle Parent, PhD student and lecturer at the University of Montreal, co-founder of the Center for Emotional Intelligence Online. The sky).
These relationships are not “necessarily unhealthy,” says psychologist Marie-Anne Sergerie, author of Cyber Addiction: When Technology Use Becomes Problematic. “Humans are fundamentally social beings. So we need to connect with others, and of course we tend to band together and form bonds to do that. Now it’s more behind a screen and on social networks. »
Sonia Benezra is always amazed at the direct contact that social networks offer. “There is a present and encouraged intimacy,” says the moderator, who has 33,000 followers on Facebook. Some consider her a friend or even a confidante and bring her very personal messages. “I appreciate that people take the time to write to me,” she says.
She avoids replying to a few messages she’s more uncomfortable with — like people asking her out for coffee — but overall, she appreciates that closeness tenfold through social media.
The hostess even makes a point of replying to messages that concern her. “ I take the time to write something thoughtful, something that isn’t instantaneous. Sonia Benezra says she is generous in her answers and wants to be authentic with her fans at all costs. “I’m not lying when I say everything is beautiful or everything is perfect,” she admits, not wanting to take for granted this virtual community that follows and encourages her.
shades
Florence Lyonnais has been following celebrities on social networks for a long time. The young woman even describes herself as a “fan girl” for several actresses – she even goes to salons to meet them.
“Of course I know her beyond her role,” she said. What I find interesting is seeing their everyday lives, learning a little bit more about what they do outside of gaming, and what they have to say on various hot topics. »
Identifying with and being inspired by public figures can be beneficial, admits psychologist Marie-Anne Sergerie.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MARIE-ANNE SERGERIE
Psychologist Marie-Anne Sergerie
It can enable us to understand each other better, to take action so that we can participate in our lives. In that regard, having an influence that stays within a healthy range is not in itself a problem.
Marie-Anne Sergerie, psychologist
Emmanuelle Parent also sees advantages. “They can be important role models for young people, for their values or even their aesthetics,” she believes.
Social networks also make it possible to identify with people who are not necessarily present in traditional media, she points out, and to join communities that share the same interests.
However, digital communications and social media consultant Nellie Brière warns of a “false sense of closeness and even connectedness” that social media can develop with a personality.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NELLIE BRIÈRE
Nellie Brière, Digital Communications and Social Media Consultant
Because we feel like we know the person well, it gives us a lot of influence and gives them the power to sometimes maintain the illusion of a reciprocal relationship.
Nellie Brière, Digital Communications and Social Media Consultant
An effect that can hit the portfolio in particular. Florence Lyonnais admits that sometimes she gets caught up in the game when a celebrity she likes posts promotional content. “It influences me to be interested in the product and sometimes to buy it,” she says. It makes me feel closer to fame. »
Several personalities finance their activities on social networks through advertising. The experts surveyed agree that the majority respect the rules for this type of content. However, subscribers can be vulnerable, especially those who have formed parasocial relationships with them. “What can be insidious on social media – and what works for them – is that you can have a hyper-personalized recommendation,” explains Emmanuelle Parent. It’s harder to have a critical mind because you’re telling yourself that if the person didn’t like it, they wouldn’t recommend it. »
When should you be concerned?
“The problem is when there is a kind of invasion in life,” says psychologist Marie-Anne Sergerie. When the relationship becomes obsessive and takes up all the space in a person’s life and even to the detriment of certain relationships that might exist in real life. »
Marie-Anne Sergerie gives the example of a person flooding a well-known personality with messages and comments. “It could lead to harassment,” she said. Emmanuelle Parent points out that platforms can encourage us to spend a lot of time on a certain topic like a celebrity, which can lead to fixation.
Nellie Brière also believes in identifying monomania, which she believes is not necessarily caused by digital technology but which social networks can amplify. “For example, a person obsessed with losing weight might simply follow influencers with that content. It can become unhealthy and even dangerous,” she says.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Emmanuelle Parent, PhD student and lecturer at the University of Montreal, co-founder of the Center for Emotional Intelligence Online (Le CIEL)
Good Practices
“It’s as if our critical sense of the relationship that digital technology emanates has not yet been developed, especially in the education sector,” explains Nellie Brière, who believes that more importance should be given to digital literacy .
And since young people are increasingly exposed to influencers on social networks, it is all the more important to “integrate this knowledge,” Nellie Brière continues. “It’s like we as a society reject that,” she laments.
Is it okay to diligently follow many personalities? “It’s all in the way of doing it, she says, and it’s all in the development of critical thinking. »
CIEL co-founder Emmanuelle Parent also believes in overcoming negative prejudice. “Because it’s very fast and instantaneous, the quality of the content can be lower, but we have to move away from these clichés because there are people who are doing a good job. »
“Awareness is important in relation to every face of technology,” says psychologist Marie-Anne Sergerie. From the first moments a child is introduced to technology, parents must accompany them. »