Cambridge Dictionary named “parasocial” as Phrase of the Yr for 2025.
Francesco Carta Fotografo | Second | Getty Pictures
AI chatbots, Taylor Swift, and social media influencers all performed a component in deciding Cambridge Dictionary’s Phrase of the Yr, 2025: “parasocial.”
Parasocial — revealed by the worldwide dictionary on Tuesday as its phrase of the 12 months — refers back to the connection an individual feels to a web-based character starting from celebrities to podcasters, and even synthetic intelligence.
“Parasocial relationship is once we assume we all know somebody, or we really feel very near somebody who’s in reality, an individual we have by no means met, like a star, an influencer, or someone in public life who’s well-known for some cause,” Simone Schnall, professor of experimental social psychology on the College of Cambridge, advised CNBC Make It.
“In actuality, in fact, it is solely a one-sided, so-called relationship,” she added.
The time period originated in 1956 when College of Chicago sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl discovered that individuals who watched tv had been treating the actors on-screen like mates or household.
Schnall defined that the “phenomenon” is well-known in our tradition, however it’s solely now that persons are utilizing the time period extra generally.
“It has been there ceaselessly, however I believe in our tradition, we now see parasocials on steroids, just because there are such a lot of alternatives for it. There are such a lot of individuals who, for no matter cause, we may be eager about and fascinated by, impressed by,” she mentioned.
One instance is singer and billionaire Taylor Swift who has an intense world fanbase attributable to her relatable songs. Lots of her fan report having a deep, emotional connection along with her and sustain along with her private life and romantic relationships.
Different examples embody social media influencer and Youtuber Logan Paul who has round 27 million followers on Instagram and 23 million subscribers on YouTube.
In 2018, Paul posted a video displaying a deceased individual in Japan’s Aokigahara “suicide forest,” sparking world outrage. Lots of his die‑laborious followers defended him, displaying fierce loyalty regardless of the seriousness of the content material. Paul later apologized for the video.
Schnall warned there are “risks” in following celebrities and social media influencers who would possibly share incorrect medical recommendation, promote unhealthy merchandise, or promote unethical behaviour.
“They [influencers] might do some critical hurt to their followers. The individuals who really feel they’re in that parasocial relationship, they might actually be harmed by that,” Schnall warned.
AI chatbots and loneliness tradition
Cambridge Dictionary referenced that a part of the growing recognition of the phrase “parasocial” stems from relationships being shaped with AI chatbots.
A 2025 report by Widespread Sense Media, which surveyed 1,060 U.S. teenagers, discovered that 72% of youngsters aged 13 to 17 had used an AI companion at the least as soon as. This was for a spread of causes from emotional or psychological well being help or as a buddy or finest buddy.
“They’re known as chatbots as a result of we really feel like we’re chatting with somebody already,” Schnall mentioned. “Individuals can develop sure relationships, like a friendship and even romantic relationship, or at the least, that is how they really feel about it, when in fact in actuality, there is no such thing as a one else concerned.”
And it isn’t simply teenagers. A current survey by Vantage Level Counselling of over 1,000 American adults discovered that 28% mentioned they’ve had a romantic or intimate relationship with an AI.
Schnall supplied two the explanation why persons are turning to parasocial relationships: a world loneliness epidemic and elevated screentime.
On telephones and screens, parasocial relationships are “only a click on away” so it is simpler to get instant social approval. In the meantime, chatbots are designed to flatter you, per Schnall.
“Individuals are typically extra lonely than in earlier generations, they usually spend a lot time on their screens the place these parasocial relationships are very simple to ascertain,” she mentioned.
The antidote, Schnall mentioned is investing in real-life relationships as a result of the extra time you spend on-line, the much less time you spend pursuing in-person connections.
“The extra time I spend chatting with a chatbot, the much less time I most likely spent chatting with an actual life individual,” she added.