Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Why Parasocial Relationships Draw Us Into Online Communities
Parasocial relationships can help people feel connected to others who like the same things.
Young people may meet online to discuss music, films, television shows, books, or sports.
They might create fan pages or share theories about shows.
These communities can be difficult to find in the offline world.
People may also see parts of themselves in fictional characters or media figures.
This can help them understand themselves and feel accepted.
Tracy Gleason said this support may be especially important for transgender young people who lack acceptance at home or in their communities.
The series Heartstopper was described as an example of positive queer representation that gave some fans hope.
Parasocial relationships can help people connect online with others who share their interests.
Adolescents may form communities around bands, film stars, sports teams, television series, or book series.
Online fan discussions and pages can create communities that people may not find outside the internet.
Identifying with media characters or figures can help people understand themselves and feel accepted.
Tracy Gleason said online representation can be critical for transgender young people facing rejection in their communities.
- Who
- Adolescents, online fans, media figures, and Tracy Gleason are discussed.
- What
- Parasocial relationships can help people build online communities, find acceptance, and identify with media figures or characters.
- When
- The article does not specify when these developments occurred; it refers to a recent article about Heartstopper.
- Where
- Online communities and the internet, including fan pages and discussion groups.
- Why
- Shared interests, personal identification, and positive representation can help people find connection, acceptance, and hope.
- Main benefit
- Parasocial relationships can help people build connections online.
- Common communities
- Adolescents may gather around bands, film stars, sports teams, television series, or book series.
- Online activities
- Fans may discuss theories or create dedicated fan pages.
- Personal impact
- Identifying with characters or media figures may help people understand themselves and feel accepted.
- Expert cited
- Tracy Gleason, chair of the Psychology department at Wellesley College.
- Featured example
- Heartstopper was described as helping fans find community through positive queer representation.