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In this article titled, "Star Power" which is about the influence of celebrities among the youth. They discussed and researched modern celebrities, and how their influence was shown on those who look up to them.

According to Current Events, "[...] says Charlotte DeBacker of the University of Leicester in England, who conducted a study on the issue. 'Humans seem to have the tendency to mimic the overall behavior pattern of higher status or more successful [people],' she says. "When Gap sold (PRODUCT) RED T-shirts to draw attention to the AIDS crisis in Africa, celebrities joined the campaign. When the public saw celebrities supporting the cause, they wanted to help too."

As stated, they had mentioned the psychological reasoning behind celebrities and behavior among people. Because humans have adapted to mimicking those of higher status, positive actions are reciprocated onto their fans. The campaign of PRODUCT RED illustrates this study perfectly, as the awareness for AIDS in Africa was endorsed by celebrities, and as a result, their fans had displayed support like a domino effect.

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In the article, the author discusses the relation between youth and who they look up to. In this instance, it was geared towards music artists, and how children who played instruments were more motivated than those who didn't.

According to Music Education Research, "They argue that role models can be equally self-enhancing and demoralising, and that it is the individual's perceived relevance and attainability of their role model that will help determine the extent in which their admired figure has a positive or negative influence. [...] Findings suggest that, firstly, adolescents that played musical instruments had higher competence beliefs and values for music than those who did not play instruments and, secondly, those who played instruments were more likely to believe that they could become like their role model and wanted to become like their role model than those who did not"

Demonstrated through the findings, adolescents were more catered to figures with a higher status (celebrities / artists). Also, youth who played instruments held higher aspirations and belief in regards to music and connections to their idol. In contrast, the group who didn't proved opposite, feeling less belief towards music and becoming like their role model. In regards to the topic, adolescents who had an aspiration in common to their role model affected how motivated they would be to fulfill their goal, in order to achieve success like their idol.

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In the article published by Newport Academy, it discusses the impact of celebrities on teenage mental health, and how their influence can be both harmful, yet uplifting for those who look up to them.

According to the article, "And it’s not just teen girls who are affected. Research shows that young men also experience body dissatisfaction and depression as a result of viewing media images. And this body dissatisfaction can lead to unhealthy, excessive exercising among male teens." As stated, depending on the media that is consumed, it can take a mental toll on the individual. A prevalent problem in social media is how it can be easily faked, leading to a deceived perception, and false mindset for those to follow.

In contrast, there are celebrities who have utilized their platforms to leave a positive influence for those who idolize them. According to the article, "For example, before reportedly entering rehab after an apparent drug overdose earlier this summer, Demi Lovato released a song about relapse, titled “Sober.” Consequently, the song inspired young people nationwide to open up about their substance abuse and mental health challenges. [...] In addition, pop star singer Ariana Grande has been frank about her battle with PTSD and anxiety following a bombing at a concert venue while she was performing."

Here, the evidence illustrates examples of idols who have opened up their experiences, and have connected to their fans. Displaying a role model that may seem untouchable, yet is just a human just like them.

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For better or worse, celebrities have a powerful impact on how teens view themselves and how they see the world. In fact, it's easy to underestimate how much celebrities influence teenage attitudes and behavior.

Celebrities can have a positive influence on youth. In fact, they can serve as role models. But famous people, whether they're singers, actors, and other celebrities, can also provide unhealthy examples. In particular, celebrity influence on body image and substance use is often detrimental to teen mental state. This has led to an unprecedented need for adolescent mental health treatment across the country.

Teenagers need guidance on how to interpret celebrities' influence. Adults can engage with kids around media. In addition, they, therefore, support how children process what they're seeing and hearing. Moreover, parents and teachers can use celebrities' stories as entry points into important discussions about health and personal choices.

The Impact of Media on Teen Body Image

Research shows that teen body image is shaped by many factors. These include friends and family, where the teen lives, and their cultural background. However, celebrity images have a profound impact on teen body image.

The Today Show and aol.com collaborated on the "Ideal to Real" body image survey. As a result, the survey found that 80 percent of teen girls compare themselves to images they see of celebrities. Moreover, among those girls, almost half said that celebrity images make them feel dissatisfied with the way they look.

Therefore, appearance is among teenagers' top concerns, teen girls in particular. In her book Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World, author Lisa Bloom reveals that 25 percent of young adult women in the US would rather win America's Next Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize.

How Celebrities Influence Teen Eating Disorders

Why does celebrity influence on teen body image matter? Because body dissatisfaction is linked to mental health challenges, including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Studies find that young women who consume media with many images of an unrealistic "thin ideal" are more likely to exhibit symptoms of disordered eating. In addition, the Girl Scouts Research Institute found that nearly half of girls ages 13 to 17 wish they were as skinny as the models in fashion magazines.

Celebrity influencers play into this trend when they document their extreme diets or use language that can be triggering for those with eating disorders-such as when the entertainer Kim Kardashian recently expressed gratitude for being told she "looks anorexic." News outlets covered a conversation between the Kardashians and the backlash it spawned. When celebrities minimize the severity of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, or endorse taking unhealthy products to suppress appetite, they are emulating dysfunction.

Furthermore, for celebrities that are as exploited for their physical bodies as often as the Kardashian family is, they are shirking an opportunity to reframe the narrative around healthy weight. Hence, teens are told that looking skinny defines your worth. This messaging is superficial, heartbreaking for many, and can be deadly for those who suffer with life-threatening eating disorders.

And it's not just teen girls who are affected. Research shows that young men also experience body dissatisfaction and depression as a result of viewing media images. And this body dissatisfaction can lead to unhealthy, excessive exercising among male teens.

Positive Celebrity Influence on Teen Body Image

However, some celebrities influence the body-image discussion for the better. For example, the singer Lorde called out a Photoshopped image of herself on Twitter. She noted that one photo showed her with "perfect" skin while the other was real. "Remember, flaws are ok," she tweeted.

Other celebrities, including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Melissa McCarthy, and Jennifer Lawrence have spoken out against the ideals of beauty promoted by the entertainment and fashion industries.

"You shouldn't be pressured into trying to be thin by the fashion industry, because they only want models that are like human mannequins. You have to remember that it's not practical or possible for an everyday woman to look like that. It's not realistic and it's not healthy."

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Celebrities Can Raise Awareness and Reduce Stigma

Many celebrities are open about their struggles with addiction and mental health. As a result, they help to reduce stigma and raise awareness. For example, before reportedly entering rehab after an apparent drug overdose earlier this summer, Demi Lovato released a song about relapse, titled "Sober." Consequently, the song inspired young people nationwide to open up about their substance abuse and mental health challenges.

Lovato has struggled for years with drug abuse, alcoholism, depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. While her recovery continues, her song helped increase understanding around relapse and addiction. For many people, relapse is part of the recovery journey. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to address the underlying issues and build better coping strategies.

In addition, pop star singer Ariana Grande has been frank about her battle with PTSD and anxiety following a bombing at a concert venue while she was performing. Moreover, the model Bella Hadid has shared about her social anxiety. And England's Prince Harry has spoken publicly about the trauma of losing his mother, Princess Diana. Subsequently, he and Prince William formed the Heads Together initiative. The project tackles stigma, raises awareness, and provides help for people with mental health challenges.

These are just a few of the many celebrities who have shared their struggles with the world. As a result, celebrities influence the public's understanding of these issues.

How to Talk to Teens About Celebrity Influence

How does media influence teens? Because pop culture plays such a big role in teens' lives, celebrities influence the way teens think and what they talk about. Therefore, parents can use celebrities' experiences as avenues for talking about sensitive subjects.

Thus, celebrity anorexia cases offer opportunities to talk to teens about how dangerous the "thin ideal" can be. And they can discuss healthy ways to stay fit and eat well. Moreover, stars who speak out about coping with mental illnesses demonstrate that people with such diagnoses can be successful and happy.

Parents might ask teens what they admire about the stars they follow. What qualities do they want to emulate? Perhaps creativity, passion, or dedication? What can they learn from the lives of celebrities who have struggled with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or substance use?

Some teens are upset when they find out about a celebrity's struggles. Therefore, parents can offer a different viewpoint: Stars who share their stories are examples of courage, honesty, and authenticity. Moreover, their vulnerability makes them stronger. And they often receive tremendous support and love after opening up. In this way, they serve as role models for youth.

However, some celebrities are unable to overcome mental health conditions. The deaths this year of designer Kate Spade and television personality Anthony Bourdain brought renewed attention to mental illness and suicide. Therefore, the message for teens is that people who are suffering must seek professional treatment as soon as possible.

In conclusion, celebrities are really people. Thus, they experience real struggles. But because they are in the public eye, teens have the opportunity to learn from them. And parents can help them sort through the information and take away a healthy message.

Key Takeaways

Celebrities have a powerful impact on how teens view themselves and how they see the world.

A survey found that 80 percent of teen girls compare themselves to images they see of celebrities. Almost half of those reported that celebrity images make them feel dissatisfied with the way they look.

Growing numbers of celebrities are speaking out against the ideals of beauty promoted by the entertainment and fashion industries. Many celebrities are open about their struggles with addiction and mental health. As a result, they help to reduce stigma and raise awareness.

Celebrities are real people with real struggles. Teens can learn from their experiences, including when and how to seek help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrity Influence

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How Celebrities Influence Teens and Why it Matters | Newport Academy

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Celebrities influence teenage attitudes and behavior. Specifically, celebrity influence on body image and substance can be harmful to teen mental health.

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In the article, it contained research regarding fans and how the celebrities they follow have psychological effects. Because of the accessibility of social media, it has made making a "relationship" between a fan and a celebrity easier, leaving a positive tie between the two.

According to the article, "In addition, few empirical studies have investigated the impact of virtual relationships with a celebrity on social media in fans' real daily life, especially regarding their quality of life and perception of well-being. happiness or well-being (Lee, 2018). [...] . Compared to being exposed in mass media, on SNS pages, the celebrity tends to be quite open with fans and talks candidly with fans like friends, leading to high levels of social interaction and pleasure between the celebrity and fans. Thus, this study verifies how virtual interactions on social media make fans happy in real life."

As stated, the interactions that celebrities have with their fans can be lasting, leaving them with positivity to reciprocate into their everyday lives.

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Parasocial relationships are defined as one-sided relationships, where one individual will devote / spend lots of time, money, and their own emotions into the relationship, whereas the other doesn't know the other's existence. Despite it sounding negative, this is the truth that many fans face with the fact of loving a celebrity. However, the article from TIME proves that these relationships can play a positive effect mentally on fans.

According to the article, "'It’s a lifelong process—not just something that happens in adolescence.' Feeling attached to a celebrity or character can also create a sense of comfort, or what Zubernis describes as a 'secure base or safe haven.' That can help people persevere through the most difficult life challenges."

Branching into the pandemic, the outbreak of COVID-19 affected many mentally, giving people a new environment, all online. To many, this was strange, yet fandoms connected even more through their celebrity, surrounding each other with a community that has the same likings, while being there for each other.

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I've been juggling parasocial relationships for most of my life. As a newly online kid in the 1990s, I downloaded programs that helped me make fan art featuring my favorite bands: Dashboard Confessional, Something Corporate, and Blink-182. Now, a couple decades later, I refer to these artists by their first names (Chris, Andrew, Mark) to my friends and family and passionately defend them on internet forums. Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, I can tell you with authority what their kitchens look like, what their dogs are named, and what they put in their morning smoothies. Is it any wonder I feel like I know them?

Internet arbiters might call me unhinged or tell me to get a (better) hobby. But actually, experts say, parasocial relationships aren't nearly as toxic as public perception makes them out to be. Decades of research suggest that they're good for the majority of people who engage in them-and for the celebrities on the other side.

"I fell into studying fandom because I became a passionate fan of something myself," says Lynn Zubernis, a clinical psychologist who loves the TV show Supernatural, which aired from 2005 to 2020. "And I was instantly like, 'Oh my god, have I a.) lost my mind, or b.) discovered something wonderful?'" Her children assumed it was the former-but that didn't align with her experiences, or with mine.

There's a good chance that you-yes, even you-have had a parasocial experience. Ever yell at the football player on your TV who just fumbled the ball, even though you knew he couldn't hear you? That's an example of a parasocial interaction, which can progress into a parasocial relationship-typically defined as a one-sided social and emotional connection developed with fictional characters or celebrities. By some estimates, 51% of Americans have been in parasocial relationships, though only 16% will admit to it.

Parasocial relationships can help adolescents, in particular, form an identity and develop autonomy, according to one 2017 study. By imagining relationships and associating emotions with people at a distance, we have a "safe forum ... to experiment with different ways of being," the researchers concluded. Additional research has found that parasocial relationships can help people with low self-esteem feel more confident and become closer to their ideal self. Those with avoidant attachment styles -who are generally wary of closeness-often get attached to TV characters with desirable characteristics that they then try to embody, which can be an effective coping strategy. "We find people, characters, stories, whatever it is to emulate and to take attributes from and to sort of use as inspiration," Zubernis says. "It's a lifelong process-not just something that happens in adolescence."

Feeling attached to a celebrity or character can also create a sense of comfort, or what Zubernis describes as a "secure base or safe haven." That can help people persevere through the most difficult life challenges. She describes a suicidal woman she met who loved the TV show Supernatural. When the woman went to a fan convention and met one of the stars, he sensed that she was having a difficult time. "He made her promise that she would stay alive and come see him at the next convention," Zubernis says. "She's still doing great, and it's 10 years later."

Misha Collins, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Alexander Calvert at a Supernatural convention in 2019. Albert L. Ortega-Getty ImagesCastmembers

Parasocial relationships can expand social networks and offer a sense of companionship in plenty of other ways. That became especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people-isolated at home and unable to spend time with friends and family-gravitated toward online communities, including fandoms. Parasocial bonds are launching pads into fulfilling online and in-person connections with fans who share similar interests, experts say. "There's a sense of belongingness that comes from being part of a community," Zubernis says, and these bonds can decrease loneliness. "People who don't know about fandom often miss that aspect of it completely. They still have a certain image of, 'Oh, a fan is a boy sitting in his mom's basement watching Star Wars 33 times.' But for most people, it's a very communal activity, and it's about relationships." These connections often outlive a person's affinity for a particular celebrity, experts add.

Gayle Stever has been studying fandoms-and, by natural extension, parasocial relationships-for decades. As part of her research, she's embedded herself in a number of fan communities, including those associated with Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Paul McCartney, Star Trek, Aidan Turner, and Josh Groban. She's seen the benefits play out again and again: She met around a dozen people, for example, who lost their significant other through death or divorce and then decided they didn't want another real-world relationship-but found connection through a parasocial relationship. "One woman told me that every time she was in a new relationship and it ended, it was hurting her kids. So she made the decision to invest in a parasocial relationship," Stever recalls. The woman knew she wasn't going to actually run off with the celebrity she admired, but she was having fun, and described it as an outlet for feelings she would have otherwise stifled.

More from TIME

Another woman, who Stever met outside a Josh Groban concert, was in her mid-50s and had recently lost her husband to an aggressive form of cancer. She felt sure the romantic part of her life was over. But she eventually realized that she had a "little crush" on Groban. She didn't entertain any notion that the two would actually be together, but she told Stever the experience helped her realize she was capable of having romantic feelings again.

"My experience has been that in the largest percentage of cases, the impact is positive," Stever says. "It's more healthy than unhealthy. People want to judge the behavior of others, but why do you need to castigate somebody's fandom?"

Andrew McMahon performs at Riviera Theatre on March 2, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Ryan Bakerink-Getty Images

When I was in my mid-20s, I re-discovered a musician I had loved as a tween, Andrew McMahon. Two weeks after seeing him perform as an opening act-by chance, or as I prefer to call it, fate-I drove 12 hours to catch one of his solo shows. In the decade since, I've seen him perform more than 100 times, watched the documentary he made, read his memoir, and joined fan communities on every social-media platform. I bought a green T-shirt emblazoned with a bold declaration-"Andrew McMahon is a friend of mine"-and when I wore it, I felt like it was true.

So how does McMahon feel about all that? When I asked him via Zoom recently, he was exceedingly gracious. "At the core of it, there's this shared experience," he says. "I appreciate that there are people who are willing to share and be vulnerable with me in the same way that I am in my songs. It furthers my perception of what this relationship is, which is not a one-way thing." When he goes on stage, he says, he's not a television screen. "I feel more connected when I feel like I see them, and they see me," and his interactions with fans often double as a vibe check: Did they enjoy the show? Was there something more he could have done that would have made the experience better?

That fan-artist relationship was strengthened back in 2005, when McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He started to choke up when describing how many fans reached out, making him feel a genuine sense of love. "It was like, wow, there were people willing me back to life," he says. Now, after a decades-long career, he recognizes many of the faces he sees in the crowds at his shows-and waiting to meet him afterwards. He's been on the other side and met celebrities he idolizes, like Billy Joel, and that firsthand experience helps him relate to his own fans. "It makes me want to make a positive experience for people who meet me," he says. "People who have been doing this with me for years, we have very normal conversations and interactions now because we've broken that barrier down over time. I've made friends and lifelong connections with people."

Many celebrities similarly appreciate-and even encourage-fans' parasocial bonds. It makes sense: Loyal, invested fans fuel careers and, certainly, bank accounts. But there's also a deeper motive. When Zubernis collaborated with Supernatural actors on the book Family Don't End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives, she was surprised at their emphasis on emotional benefits. "They talked about feeling this unusual sense of support that allowed them to take chances and do things they wouldn't have otherwise done," she says. One actor was emboldened to start performing as a singer. Another cast member told her that his fans helped him overcome anxiety and suicidal ideations. "Knowing he had the support of a community," says Zubernis, "that would accept him even when he was struggling with depression was part of what literally saved his life."

Of course, there's always a line. When I asked McMahon what his was, he first provided the diplomatic response: Because he's available to fans on social media, they sometimes treat him like customer service, inquiring about ticket problems or why he didn't book a show in their city. After digging deeper, he raised the fact that he's had people reach out to him while in life-threatening crisis. "It's hard to figure out how to deal with that," he says. "Those are the scariest things because I think there's a level of personal responsibility. I don't say that as a way to discourage somebody, but that's the moment where it flips into a situation where it's above my pay grade."

Some fans display more loudly egregious behavior, including harassing anyone they perceive to have offended their favorite star. Celebrities are often reticent to discuss parasocial relationships for fear of alienating their fanbase, but occasionally, the situation gets noxious enough for them to speak out. Taylor Swift recently instructed fans not to cyberbully her ex John Mayer: "I see so many beautiful interactions happen ... I would love for that kindness and that gentleness to extend on to our internet activities," she said in late June. And Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber have both pleaded with fans to stop sending death threats and making mean comments purportedly intended to defend each star from the other. Stever notes that, often, people engaging in this behavior are too young to know better, have a mental illness, or are caught up in stan culture, which she considers a separate (and extreme) entity from typical parasocial behavior.

Fans wait in line outside of Nissan Stadium ahead of a Taylor Swift performance in Nashville, Ten., in May. Seth Herald-Getty Images

In 2002, psychologist Lynn McCutcheon co-developed the Celebrity Attitude Scale to measure the extent to which someone is enamored with their favorite star. It suggests that there are three levels of celebrity worship: The first, entertainment-social, describes the "vast majority" of people, says McCutcheon, who's the editor of the North American Journal of Psychology. These are fans who appreciate their favorite celebrity's skills and like sharing that interest with others. The next level, intense-personal, occurs when people start to internalize the values of their favorite celebrity, and genuinely consider them their soulmate. ("Fortunately, this is a fairly small minority of people," he notes.) The final level, borderline-pathological, refers to people who would do anything for their favorite celebrity, including illegal activities. About 3% to 5% of people with parasocial relationships meet the criteria for this category of celebrity worship, which is associated with poor mental health.

People who have intense-personal and borderline-pathological attachments tend to have certain traits in common, McCutcheon says: impulsivity, trouble with intimate relationships, and high levels of anxiety and neurosis, to name a few. Scores on the Celebrity Attitude Scale typically rise during the preteen, teen, and early adulthood years, and then remain stable or decline slightly throughout adulthood.

About a year or so ago, scores on the Celebrity Attitude Scale began increasing slightly overall, McCutcheon says, which means a growing number of people have unhealthy attachments. It's unclear why, but he speculates that "it's fueled to a certain extent by the greater accessibility of celebrities to their fans."

Still, bad behavior is the exception, he says. Yet the public continues to conflate news-making outliers with the perfectly healthy and even beneficial parasocial relationships most people have. "I have found that when people talk about fans and celebrity stuff, their common sense goes out the window," Stever says. "The whole 'fandom is crazy' trope is not understanding what fandom really is, because probably eight out of 10 people have never been a fan on that level. In any relationship, social or parasocial, there's a potential for good and there's a potential for bad." Overwhelmingly, she says, we'd do well to focus on the good.

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Parasocial relationships are increasingly portrayed as toxic. But researchers say they're overwhelmingly positive for fans as well as the celebrities on the other side.

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In the article, fans were researched, and how the relationship between celebrities and fans has changed through time. In regards to modern-day, there have been findings that fans felt more enticed to fulfill being a "true fan", which meant buying much of their merchandise. This problem had only grown with the increase of social media usage, allowing for more endorsement and connection with other fans, making it competition-like.

However, there are findings that there have been positive effects from celebrities. According to the article, "[...] it is obvious to see that the impact of idol behavior on fans is enormous. When celebrities do have a positive impact, it will give fans greatly the power of life and mental satisfaction,"

As stated, it illustrates the power that celebrities hold, especially in regards to their fans and their mentalities. Depending on how they conduct themselves, their images are influential, and can play a role in how many people perceive themselves. By being positive, their fans will reciprocate that positivity, not only to the idol, but to society too.