Digital Media Literacy's Effect on the Relationship between Social Media Induced Parasocial Relationships and Adolescent Identity Development

Effects of digital literacy on parasocial, one-sided, relationships were measured. Adolescents who reported greater deliberate use of social media, such as posting skills, are significantly less likely to report a high parasocial interaction index. Better digital literacy helps adolescents critically evaluate media, reducing susceptibility to form unrealistic relationships with celebrities.