TL;DR: Your kid isn’t "obsessed" in the way we were with boy bands; they’re in a one-sided friendship called a parasocial relationship. Between the direct-to-camera intimacy of MrBeast and the conversational AI of Character.ai, the line between "celebrity" and "friend" has blurred. It's not necessarily "brain rot," but it does change how they value real-world connections.
Quick Links for the "Besties" in your house:
- MrBeast (YouTube) – The king of the "I'm doing this for you" vibe.
- Kai Cenat (YouTube/Twitch) – High energy, massive community, feels like a 24/7 hang.
- Character.ai (App) – Where parasocial becomes "interactive."
- Mark Rober (YouTube) – A healthier version of the "cool older brother" mentor.
I was at pickup the other day and overheard a group of 5th graders talking about MrBeast like he was a kid in their class who just happened to have $10 million and a private island. "Jimmy wouldn't like that," one kid said, referring to MrBeast by his first name as if they’d grabbed lunch last Tuesday.
If your kid is using "Ohio" as an adjective for everything weird or laughing at Skibidi Toilet memes you don't understand, you’ve probably noticed they aren't just watching content—they’re living it.
Welcome to the era of the parasocial relationship. It’s the 2025 "Word of the Year" for a reason. It’s the psychological phenomenon where a person (usually a kid or teen) develops a deep, one-sided emotional bond with a media figure who has no idea they exist.
And while we had posters of JTT or Britney on our walls, our kids have these creators in their pockets, 24/7, talking directly to them.
In the old days (the 90s), celebrities were distant. They were on movie screens or on stage. You knew you didn't know them.
Today, creators like Kai Cenat or Emma Chamberlain film from their bedrooms. They look directly into the lens. they use "we" and "us." They share their "anxiety," their "breakups," and what they ate for breakfast.
To a developing brain, that looks and feels like friendship. When MrBeast spends 15 minutes shouting "I’m giving this away to YOU guys," your kid’s brain registers that "you" personally.
The appeal is simple: Belonging without the risk.
Real friendships are hard. They involve rejection, social anxiety, and having to share your toys. A parasocial relationship with a streamer is "safe."
- The Shared Language: Using slang like "Rizz," "Gyatt," or calling something "Only in Ohio" makes kids feel like they’re part of an exclusive club.
- The 24/7 Access: If a kid is lonely on a Saturday night, Twitch or TikTok is always "on."
- The AI Twist: In 2025, we’ve moved past just watching. With Character.ai, kids are literally "texting" AI versions of their favorite influencers or fictional characters. The bot responds. It remembers their "name." This is parasocial behavior on steroids.
Not all parasocial bonds are created equal. Some are actually pretty great mentors, while others are just draining your bank account via Robux.
The "Cool Mentors" (Ages 8-14)
Mark Rober is the gold standard. He’s the former NASA engineer who makes science feel like a prank show. Kids feel a connection to him because he’s relatable and funny, but the "bond" results in them actually learning physics. It’s a win-win.
If you want to pull them away from the screen, this book (and the movie) explores themes of connection and "belonging" in a way that resonates with kids who feel lonely. It’s a great conversation starter about what a "real" friend looks like.
The "Dopamine Dealers" (Ages 10+)
Look, I’ll be honest: to most parents, Speed is unwatchable. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s often "cringe." But for kids, his unpredictability feels like hanging out with the "wild" kid at school. It’s high-octane parasocial bonding that can lead to some pretty questionable behavior.
This is the one to watch. It allows kids to roleplay conversations with AI. While it can be a creative outlet for writing, it can also become a crutch for kids who find real-world socializing too stressful. If your kid is spending 4 hours a day "talking" to a bot, it’s time to step in.
Elementary (Ages 6-10): At this age, kids struggle to differentiate between a "TV friend" and a "real friend." They might think MrBeast will actually come to their birthday if they comment enough.
- The Move: Keep it light. "It’s so cool that Jimmy helps people, but remember, he’s a businessman making a show."
Middle School (Ages 11-14): This is the peak of the "Identity" phase. They use influencers to figure out who they want to be. This is where the "Ohio" and "Skibidi" slang lives.
- The Move: Focus on the "Why." Ask, "What do you like about Kai Cenat? Is it that he’s funny, or that he has a lot of friends around him?"
High School (Ages 15-18): By now, they know it’s a performance, but the emotional tie remains. They might feel genuine grief if a creator they’ve followed for years gets "cancelled" or stops posting.
- The Move: Talk about the Creator Economy. Help them understand that "authenticity" is a brand.
Is Roblox teaching entrepreneurship? Maybe. But it’s also leveraging parasocial bonds to sell stuff.
When a creator like PrestonPlayz drops a limited-edition skin in Roblox, kids don't just want it because it looks cool. They want it because it’s a way to "support" their friend and show other kids they’re "in" with that creator.
It’s not just a game; it’s a digital fashion statement fueled by a one-sided friendship.
Don't mock the "brain rot." If you call their favorite YouTuber "stupid," they’ll take it personally—because, in their head, you just insulted their friend.
Instead, try these:
- "What’s the vibe of this channel?" (Shows you’re interested in the content, not just judging it).
- "How do you think they make money from these videos?" (Introduces the idea of the creator as a business).
- "Do you think they’re like this in real life, or is this a character?" (Encourages critical thinking).
Parasocial relationships aren't a "problem" to be solved; they're a feature of the modern digital world. They can provide community, inspiration, and a lot of laughs.
The goal isn't to cut them off from MrBeast or TikTok. The goal is to make sure they know the difference between a guy on a screen who says "I love you guys" to 100 million people, and the kid down the street who actually wants to ride bikes.
Next Steps:
- Watch 15 minutes of their favorite creator with them. No judging, just observing.
- Check out our guide to YouTube parental controls to filter out the more "toxic" parasocial influences.
- If they’re obsessed with a specific game, read our guide on Roblox safety.
Ask Screenwise about a specific influencer your kid is obsessed with