Debating Communities and Networks XV

The Sturniolio Triplet’s TikTok Fan’s Exploring Parasocial Relationships on TikTok

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annaconwayyy

 

Abstract:

This study delves into the phenomenon of parasocial relationships (PSRs) emerging on TikTok, a prominent social networking platform. With over a billion active users spending an average of 46 minutes daily on the app, TikTok has facilitated the rise of “micro-celebrities,” who engage in one-way virtual connections with their audience. Leveraging concepts like persistent contact and pervasive awareness enabled by digital communication, users develop intimate connections with content creators even in the absence of direct interaction. The study focuses on the case of the Sturniolo Triplets, popular TikTok influencers, and their interactions with fans, exploring the dynamics of PSRs and their impact. Through content analysis and literature review, the study uncovers how PSRs can serve as coping mechanisms for loneliness and stress but also perpetuate unrealistic expectations, intrude into celebrities’ personal lives, and even lead to harmful behaviors such as stalking. It also examines the role of fan fiction in blurring boundaries between reality and fantasy, potentially normalizing unhealthy behaviors and trivializing mental health issues. The findings highlight the complexities of PSRs in the digital age, emphasizing the need for micro-celebrities to set boundaries, promote privacy and safety, and raise awareness among fans about the distinction between virtual connections and real-life relationships. Ultimately, the study calls for a nuanced understanding of PSRs to mitigate their negative consequences and foster healthier online interactions.

Hey guys

I am having issue uploading my conference paper with photos. I have uploaded mine to a google doc

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RjWFEwLVf-y3KZvaQAGICftP3cIwuC3emXAyliE136c/edit?usp=sharing

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12 responses to “The Sturniolio Triplet’s TikTok Fan’s Exploring Parasocial Relationships on TikTok”

  1. Cassidy Lund Avatar
    Cassidy Lund

    Hi Anna!
    As someone who has watched The Sturniolio Triplet’s videos in the past, it was interesting to learn the parasocial relationships the fans have with them. I liked how you focused on both the positive and negative, especially the dangers towards the micro-celebrities. Did you find that PSR are dangerous for the viewer too?

    ps. My paper is based on the comfort found in particular YouTube communities if you wanted to check it out 🙂
    ‘Comfort in Crime: True Crime Fans are Finding Comfort in True Crime Influencer Content and Their Communities’ https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2024/csm/3571/comfort-in-crime-true-crime-fans-are-finding-comfort-in-true-crime-youtube-influencer-content-and-their-communities/.

    Cassidy 🙂

    1. annaconwayyy Avatar
      annaconwayyy

      Hi Cassidy.

      Thanks so much for the response. I would say they both negatively affect the viewer and the influencer. I would say viewers would have hard to finding value in real life relationships and of course struggle with maintaining real connections. So as a result, they would further with draw themselves from real life interactions as they much rather have PSR. I could see potential internet breakups, deaths or even “cancellations” have damaging effects as well as it could end up with the viewer having anxiety and symptoms of depression.

      But overall, I think it is potentially dangerous for both.

      I will definitely have look at your conference paper. Thanks for the feed back

  2. Deepti Azariah Avatar
    Deepti Azariah

    Hi Anna,
    I notice you actually have two conference papers uploaded–the link here and another titled “Autodraft”. Could you delete the other to avoid confusion?
    Deepti

  3. Audrey Singleton-Howe Avatar
    Audrey Singleton-Howe

    Hi Anna,

    While I am not a fan of the Sturniolo triplets, I have seen their content/fan made content about them on my feed. I found your use of examples very effective in showcasing the parasocial relationships you were discussing.

    What do you think contributes to the prominence of parasocial relationships with the Sturniolo Triplets compared to other content creators?

    Thanks,
    Audrey

    1. annaconwayyy Avatar
      annaconwayyy

      Hi Audrey,

      Thanks for your feedback.
      Interestingly, enough I only started watching their videos because of random fan edits that came up on my page. I definitely do think that contributed to the plethora of PSR that I have seen. For example, they went on tour and I saw edits of “the way Matt looks at me” and he literally hugging this girl because she paid for a meet and greet. Compared to other influencers I would say that these boys are your attractive high school boys. They are quite relatable, attractive and seem very normal amongst this saturation of influencers. There videos are extremely “personal” as they discuss random things that you would discuss with your friends. I also do believe that the PSR are worse because they are triplets as it uncommon and because they are attractive younger people can “pick” which one they would date. I seen a ton of people choose who there favourite triplet is based on their personality and looks (even though they look similar). For example, so many girls love Matt because he is shy, quiet and has anxiety which are all very similar traits among women and are relatable.

      I would love to read your conference paper!

      Anna

  4. SarahW Avatar
    SarahW

    Thank you for your paper.

    When you say that “PSRs may function as a means of escape, helping individuals alleviate stress and loneliness while exploring a range of emotions. They can serve as coping mechanisms or responses to trauma, ultimately contributing to resilience and emotional well-being.” Are you referring to the viewer rather than the creators experiencing this phenomenon? Or is it reciprocal?

    I have written about online communities helping to reduce psychological distress (https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2024/csm/3209/online-communities-play-a-pivotal-role-in-mitigating-the-psychological-distress-for-people-on-a-disease-journey/) so while our subjects are different, there are synergies!

    Sarah

  5. annaconwayyy Avatar
    annaconwayyy

    Hi Sarah

    I meant for the viewers. I would say it not reciprocal or rarely is. Viewers are consuming such large amounts of content and picking out and relating to believes and attributes they believe that this person has and building a relationship based off that. It is important to remember that micro celebrities only show one version of themselves online. So the viewers are much sorely to build PSR.

    I will check out your paper.
    .

    1. SarahW Avatar
      SarahW

      Thank you for replying

  6. Holly.C Avatar
    Holly.C

    Hi Anna,

    Great job on your paper. It was really well rounded with both positive and negatives surrounding PSRs, and lots of great examples of content. I found it really interesting, particularly when you spoke about how people can get attached to these virtual relationships with micro celebrities and how it can affect their own personal relationships and social skills.

    I think people can develop unrealistic expectations when it comes to micro celebrities or celebrities in general, because when they share their personal information or views, people build this connection with them and collect facts, so they feel like they actually know them, even when the relationship is completely one-sided and in reality they’re just seeing the parts that have been curated for them. I think it can sometimes make people really entitled in that they expect celebrities to take photos with them, sign things or interact with them when they’re just trying to do every day things like their shopping or having lunch somewhere. It can sometimes be really disappointing for people when they meet an idol in real life and they don’t live up to this perfect person they have built this imaginary connection with.

    I haven’t seen a lot of Sturniolio Triplet content, but do you think part of their appeal is that they come across as ‘authentic’, to their viewers, like they’re just 3 brothers having a laugh without even thinking about the fact they’re creating content?

    Holly

    1. annaconwayyy Avatar
      annaconwayyy

      Hi Holly.

      I completely agree that people develop unrealistic expectations of influencers and micro celebrities that they are interested in. Last year when I was in LA I saw a YouTuber that I loved as a kid jogging and I did not want to go on up to him and ask for a photo as he was running. However, although I would not say that “feel entitled to” for a photo. As fans or viewers contribute to their level of success it’s a “social contract”. Of course, like I have mention in my essay there a multiple examples of fans crossing boundaries because the relationships with the viewer or the influencer or actor are increasingly becoming blurred. For example, people feeling pressured to come out. I think a lot of it contributes to over involvement which has always existed with newspapers and tabloids but now has even greater effect on social media platforms.

      To answer your question yes, them sitting in a car chatting about random stuff is authentic. So many people have siblings or a best friend they have had trivial conversations. Some of the questions or confessions they are asked provokes a response. One of there most viewed video is “Waffle, pancakes or French toast”. I think overtime I go to a restaurant with a family or friend I get asked “which one do you prefer”. In the video, it feels like you are a part of the conversation allowing people to answer the question.

      Rivel, L. (2023, December 4). Parasocial relationships: Celebrities don’t owe us anything – The Daily Free Press. The Daily Free Press. https://dailyfreepress.com/2023/12/04/parasocial-relationships-celebrities-dont-owe-us-anything/

      What Does a Celebrity Owe the Fans? Pretty Much Just What the Fans Paid For. (2015, January 10). Chandler’s Bar & Grill. https://jjchandler.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/what-does-a-celebrity-owe-the-fans-pretty-much-just-what-the-fans-paid-for/

  7. richdebow Avatar
    richdebow

    Hi, Anna.

    I’m a 54 year-old African American living in South Australia, but my 21 year-old daughter has MADE me watch some Sturniolo content. Hours of it. Boston kids. The one in the back seat almost looks unrealted to the two in the front seat. Their names escape me. I always have to ask my daughter. She likes Chris Delia and Tim Dillon too. I wondered if you might expound on the uniquenesses, if any, of parasocial media delivered through digital media, as opposed to parasocial relationships formed through analogue, broadcast media, like radio or television. A number of stalker/assassins claim personal knowledge or intimacy with media figutes.

    Being in the age group that I am, I’m showing my age when I refer to a Saturday Night Live skit starring William “Captain Kirk” Shatner, trying to evade hordes of Star Trek fans who didn’t understand that he was not ACTUALLY Captain Kirk (Saturday Night Live, 2013). They’d ask him about scenese that he acted out on the show as if they were real events that he had genuinely lived. Yet, they felt like they ‘knew’ him. A bond was formed, even if unwelcome.

    As another example, John Hinckley, Jr., who attempted to assassinat US President Ronald Reagan, said that he did it to impress Jodie Foster (Jepsen, 2023). On some level, he felt he had formed a personal relationship with a screen actress that he didn’t actually know in real life, but had only seen in a box office film (Jepsen, 2023).

    Are there any dynamics that you think digital media in particular adds (or subtracts) from parasocial relationships beyond those formed though film, television, or radio?

    Jepsen, B (2023, Nov 7). In 1981, a man shot the President of the United States. The name on his lips was ‘Jodie Foster’. Mamamia.com.au. https://www.mamamia.com.au/ronald-reagan-assassination-jodie-foster/

    Saturday Night Live (2013, Oct 5). Star Trek convention – Saturday Night Live. [Video]. YouTube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqb4V9GxaBo

  8. annaconwayyy Avatar
    annaconwayyy

    Hi

    I love that your daughter is into them. I honestly think they are look like, after they are triplets. PSR have always existed but being heighten with social media. Your video is a good example of PSR being one sided.

    On average, users dedicate approximately 2.5 hours per day to engaging with social media platforms, with YouTube accounting for roughly 40 minutes of this time. Interestingly, this exceeds the time spent with friends for many individuals! This became more and more during the pandemic, these online connections became even more significant for numerous people, serving as their primary link to the outside world. With the amount of photos and videos being uploaded to the internet definitely contribute to it. There are fan accounts for all influencers and celebrities that are dedicated to uploading real live updates about who they are with and photos they have taken with other fans. I would also say their edits. Edits are from of fan fiction. There a multiple of fan edits ranging of how certain creators would be like the in a relationship. Also for TikTok algorithm if you engage in one video then similar videos will come up. I think algorithms play a part in it.

    For me especially on platforms like TikTok, venerability is a massive part of it. On social media we see in-depth story times and anecdotes all the time whether it is get ready with me or fit checks. Influencers often engage directly with their audience, creating a sense of connection. This direct interaction allows followers to relate to the influencer’s physical appearance, preferences, activities, hobbies, and more. The sturniolio triplets for examples, vlog when they go out to dinner which is very personal and intimate.

    Rivel, L. (2023, December 4). Parasocial relationships: Celebrities don’t owe us anything – The Daily Free Press. The Daily Free Press. https://dailyfreepress.com/2023/12/04/parasocial-relationships-celebrities-dont-owe-us-anything/
    What Does a Celebrity Owe the Fans? Pretty Much Just What the Fans Paid For. (2015, January 10). Chandler’s Bar & Grill. https://jjchandler.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/what-does-a-celebrity-owe-the-fans-pretty-much-just-what-the-fans-paid-for/

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