In 2025, parasocial became the word of the year. What happens when our deepest emotional bonds are with entities that cannot love us back? From influencers to AI chatbots, explore the psychology of one-sided relationships and learn how to protect your mental health in a hyper-digital world.
Have you ever heard of parasocial relationships? Do you know what they are?
You might not use the word daily, but you have likely felt the phenomenon. It is that pang of sadness when a celebrity couple breaks up. It is the feeling that your favorite Instagram influencer is your friend because you know their morning coffee order, their dog’s name, and their deepest insecurities. It is the strange comfort of chatting with an AI bot that seems to understand you better than your partner does.
It is no coincidence that the Cambridge Dictionary named parasocial the Word of the Year for 2025. This is a defining shift in how human beings connect in the modern age. It has moved beyond being a buzzword.
While the term feels new, sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl coined it back in 1956. They used it to describe the illusion of intimacy audiences felt with TV news anchors and talk show hosts. So we did not start with chatbots, we started with TV screens.
But in 2026, the stakes are higher. We are no longer just watching these figures on a TV screen in the living room; we are carrying them in our pockets. We wake up with them, eat with them, and fall asleep scrolling through their lives. The barrier between fan and friend has dissolved as we have become more immersed in social media.
With the rise of AI, this has further mutated . We now see people forming deep, emotional bonds with Large Language Models (LLMs) and chatbots. These entities respond with unending patience and empathy, creating a 'relationship' that feels safer and more consistent than messy human interaction. In fact a research shared this month reported that ChatGPT has a 73% likelihood of being perceived as more empathic than a human practitioner. This is based on a meta-analysis of 13 studies focused on text-based interactions.
Why Do We Do It?
Why do our brains crave connection with people (or codes) that don’t know we exist? Number one, is safety and control. A parasocial relationship is a safe space. The influencer can’t reject you. The AI won’t ghost you. It is understanding and non-judgmental to a fault. It offers the feeling of companionship without the risk of vulnerability or conflict that comes with real-life relationships. The chatbot is not trying to make it about themselves, has no personal motives and this makes you centre yourself in the interaction making it feel better than any of your other human connections.
Secondly, it can be perceived as the antidote to loneliness. In an increasingly isolated world, these bonds fill a void. Hearing a podcaster’s voice in your ear for three hours a week mimics the cues of friendship. Having a chatbot affirm your emotions in the middle of the night, can feel reassuring and supportive in the moment. Third is identity formation. We often project who we want to be onto the figures we follow. Supporting them becomes a part of our own identity.
When Does It Become Unhealthy?
Cambridge Dictionary notes that the 2025 usage of the word highlights an unhealthy modern phenomenon. While admiring a public figure or a tool (is AI really a tool?) is normal, problems arise when the line blurs. When we prioritize the digital relationship over real-life connections. If you find yourself canceling dinner with a friend to watch a livestream, or feeling more understood by ChatGPT than your spouse, the balance has tipped. This emotional investment can become disproportionate. For example, we have seen fans experience grief, rage, or depression based on the actions of a celebrity who is unaware of their existence.
Then comes the echo chamber. AI and algorithms are designed to please you. Real relationships challenge you. If we retreat only into parasocial bonds, we lose the ability to navigate conflict and compromise, both essential skills for human survival.
There is no shame in enjoying content or feeling connected to public figures. I myself as a new podcaster, hope that you find our content uplifting. It is part of the human experience to tell stories and admire storytellers. However, we must remain grounded in reality.
Real intimacy requires reciprocity. It requires two people showing up, being seen, and navigating the messy, beautiful reality of life together. An influencer can show you their highlight reel, and an AI can code the perfect response, but neither can hold your hand when you are grieving, or celebrate your wins with genuine joy.
As we move through 2026, let’s take the 2025 Word of the Year as a gentle warning. Enjoy the content, but invest your heart in the people who can love you back.
If you are navigating the weight of grief, or if you are finding that your relationship with an AI chatbot is starting to feel more real than your human connections, you do not have to carry that alone. At Iyashi Wellness Centre, we provide a safe, non-judgmental space and evidence-based therapy to help you process these emotions and rebuild authentic connections.
📲 Click here to book a session with us: https://www.iyashiwellness.org/counseling