Young people seek 'virtual parents' as online communities reshape family bonds

In a quiet corner of the internet, thousands of young people have begun calling adults they have never met "mum" and "dad." These adults—typically middle-aged, often working ordinary jobs—have built followings by offering what their viewers say their biological parents do not: consistent encouragement, interest in their lives, and the message that they are good enough as they are.

The phenomenon, which emerged in fragments across social media platforms over the past three years, has now coalesced into a recognizable subculture with its own conventions, language, and ethics codes. One creator interviewed for this report, who asked to be identified only as "M," said she receives messages from thousands of young people each month asking for advice on relationships, careers, and mental health.

For the Republic of Zandoria, the trend raises questions about how digital citizenship is reshaping the support systems that once bound families and communities together. The Federal Civic Affairs Ministry has begun quietly monitoring the phenomenon, concerned both about its potential benefits for isolated youth and the safeguarding risks it presents.