We are constantly peering into the lives of family, friends, strangers and even celebrities through different forms of media. Instead of sitting on a bench at the park, we’re now using the screens on our TVs, phones and computers to do our people watching.

Reality TV

Alissa Anderson, Derby freshman, watches MTV’s reality show Jersey Shore religiously on Thursday nights. “It had crazy elements and the people were so dynamic and different,” Anderson says. “The camera provokes people to act crazy.”

From fighting to partying, MTV’s camera lens focused on young Italian-Americans living together who were known for their wild antics and quotable one-liners.

“I think people like to live vicariously through other people,” says Scott Testa, media consultant and professor of business administration at Cabrini College in Philadelphia. “People like situations that maybe they wouldn’t do in their own lives, but they enjoy watching other people do it.”

It’s a form of escapism from your normal life. Testa says reality shows such as Jersey Shore can be appealing because of this train wreck factor — it’s a horrible sight, but you can’t look away. He says people subconsciously compare themselves to others, so knowing our lives aren’t as bad as some people on TV is a satisfying thought.

Testa says some characters who know they’re being watched might act in ways that aren’t consistent with their regular actions. He says although some reality shows might skew actual reality and behaviors, viewers respond to the exaggerated characters because they evoke strong emotions, which translate to the screen well. He says sometimes the more outrageous the behavior, the bigger the audience.

Video sharing

YouTube has become a favorite pastime for Megan Baumchen, Sunrise Beach, Mo., senior, and her roommates. She says she enjoys the sense of anonymity when it comes to watching others for entertainment.

“It’s this platform that allows people to have their voice out there,” says Lauren Sammak, senior manager of digital publicity at Fanscape, an online digital word-of-mouth marketing agency. She says YouTube satisfies our desire to connect with others because people who upload videos want to be watched and to feel as if they exist and are affecting the world.

The people who upload videos are also subject to scrutiny by those who are watching them. Sammak says YouTube provides for discussion through commenting, but allows for freedom of opinions. YouTube profiles often reveal a limited amount of information about people, which maintains anonymity when making good or bad comments. “You can feel more free to say whatever you want because you’re not worried about it going back to you,” Sammak says.

Social networking

Anderson says the popularity of Facebook can satisfy our basic curiosities for others. “Instead of getting to know someone first you check their Facebook instead,” Anderson says. “It’s just nice to be able to get a peek in on their life before you actually meet them.”

Social networking helps us get a closer sense of someone’s personality and has amplified our natural tendency to observe, Testa says. He says there are those who like to know everyone’s business and those who like to tell everyone their business, which makes Facebook perfect for those two groups.

But knowing other people’s business is not always a bad thing. Facebook is a platform where people can share a common interest. You may discover that you have more in common with a stranger than you think.

Microblogging

Twitter allows people to follow others, particularly the whereabouts of celebrities. For Baumchen, checking her Twitter account on her smart phone has become routine along with checking her e-mail and Facebook. She follows celebrities such as cast members of Fox’s TV show Glee. “It’s good to see that they’re normal everyday people just like we are, and they do the same things that we do,” Baumchen says.

Although celebrities might seem untouchable, Sammak says when following celebrities on Twitter people feel included in their world on a more personal level. “You feel like you’re their friend,” Sammak says.

She says in today’s busy society, mobile applications allow curious individuals to know the activities of others quickly.

Location-awareness technology

Location GPS-based phone applications such as Foursquare are taking people watching into the future. Foursquare allows you to use your phone to “check-in” your current location. Whether you’re at the bar or movies, you can manage your privacy settings and alert your friends about your whereabouts. It’s like a friend-finder. “It’s an easy way to meet up with people, but it’s also a little crazy to know where someone is at every step of their day,” Sammak says.

It’s also a phone game where you gain points the more times you “check-in” at a certain place. Whether it’s a free hotel stay or latte, if you accumulate the most points you are deemed the “mayor” of that place and may be offered freebies by marketers monitoring your moves.

Modern-day

Instead of being shackled to your computer or TV screen, location awareness technology allows you to actually meet the people you are watching.

“By nature, we’re curious. We’re social,” Testa says. “When you take a medium that allows us to be more social and more curious when it comes to the activities of others, you’re going to have an audience.”

Time spent peeping TV, computer and cell phone screens is increasing, which reveals something about our character — we’re a peering culture.