The Rise of One-Sided Online Connections

In 2025, the Cambridge Dictionary named \'parasocial\' its Word of the Year. This term describes the bond people feel with celebrities, influencers, or even AI, despite never meeting them. It’s like having a friendship with someone who doesn’t know you exist. The idea of parasocial relationships isn’t new. It started back in 1956 when sociologists noticed TV viewers forming attachments to on-screen personalities. Today, social media makes it easier than ever to feel close to strangers. Fans often react strongly to celebrity news, like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, showing real emotions for people they’ve never met. But it’s not just about celebrities. Online creators and streamers also experience this. Some fans become so invested that they cross boundaries, leading to issues like stalking. Many creators have spoken about dealing with obsessive fans, even hiring security to stay safe. Parasocial relationships can form without anyone realizing it. Spending hours watching or listening to someone online can create a false sense of closeness. A 2024 study found that some people feel more emotionally connected to YouTubers than to real-life friends or coworkers. Things get even trickier with AI. People now confide in AI tools like ChatGPT as if they were real friends. By September 2025, the definition of parasocial relationships was updated to include AI. Colin McIntosh, the chief editor of Cambridge Dictionary, said the word \'parasocial\' perfectly captures the spirit of 2025. It shows how people are more fascinated than ever by celebrities and their lives. The term has moved from academic discussions to everyday social media posts. Other words that made the shortlist include \'pseudonymization, \' related to data protection, and \'memeify, \' tied to internet culture. This year, the dictionary added 6, 000 new words, including \'delulu, \' \'skibidi, \' and \'tradwife. \' Words to watch in the future include \'glazing, \' \'vibey, \' \'bias, \' \'breathwork, \' and \'doomspending. \'