Connecting Generations in the Digital Age: A Sentiment Analysis of Affective Bonds Between Senior Influencers and Young Audiences on a Chinese Danmaku Video Site.

This study examines parasocial interactions (PSI) between Senior Digital Influencers (SDIs) and young audiences on the Chinese danmaku platform Bilibili. Through sentiment and content analysis of 20,728 danmaku comments, we identify key characteristics of these cross-generational PSIs. The interactions are nonlinear, bidirectional, and dominated by positive sentiments such as praise and respect. The behavioral dimension is primarily characterized by expressions of presence and companionship. The analysis reveals that danmaku technology, through its pseudo-synchronicity and anonymity, facilitates collective emotional expression and co-creates a shared viewing experience. This supports a shift from traditional one-sided PSI toward more reciprocal, co-creative engagement. The findings extend PSI theory into intergenerational digital communication. They demonstrate how platform affordances can structure positive, non-age-centric social spaces online.