Social Media Users, ParaSocial Relationships & ParaNormal Reality

During successive global lockdowns, many of us have spent long periods at home and are turning to virtual companions to replace our lost social lives. This type of one-sided relationship has a strong pull over many lives. More than seven in ten (71%) say that they learn from the influencers they follow in areas such as health, hobbies, style and news. Nearly a quarter (23%) say they are ‘dependent’ on influencer content and one in ten (10%) even say they feel a sense of absence if they do not engage with influencers.

However, social media has been important for many people during the pandemic, with nearly six in ten (59%) worldwide saying social media has provided a vital connection for them during the pandemic. This figure was highest among younger people aged 18-34 (71%), who rely on social media for connectivity. People in Vietnam (94%) and South Africa (79%) are the most likely to say social media is a vital connection for them, although a third of people worldwide (33%) say they have become less tolerant to people on social media during the pandemic.

Although more than half (56%) of people have been on active on social media for more than a decade, many of us are still figuring out how to balance the positives of social media with the negatives. Now, we’ve moved into a new era where virtual relationships are becoming the norm. These one-sided relationships can often lead to oversharing on social media, as people look to develop these relationships. However, this can lead to a huge range of negative and unforeseen consequences – hacking and phishing attempts, doxing and bullying, online shaming – the list goes on.

Kaspersky has identified five types of social media persona: 

• Savvy Socials - who limit their time online and keep posts to a minimum
• Breezy Posters - they post prolifically over relatively short periods of activity
• Oversharers – these people virtually live online and post like crazy!
• Lurkers – they might spend a lot of time on social, but they’re just here to surf, not to comment
• Offliners – these people are either inactive, never joined, or deleted many of their social media accounts

To find out what kind of social media user you are, visit Kaspersky’s online quiz:

https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/shareaware-quiz/

“It is understandable with the lockdowns we've all experienced over the past year that people will have gravitated towards online and parasocial relationships to stave off loneliness and boredom, but it's crucial that people are aware of the consequences of oversharing online and are able to take a more balanced approach,” comments David Emm, Principal security researcher at Kaspersky.

Kaspersky has launched its ‘ShareAware Hub’ , where people can find handy tips to help them enjoy social media safely.