Notes on Communicating in a Digital Age

Discuss how communication has changed since the 1990s.
Explore the effects of these changes on the narratives and practices of communication.

1990s: Internet introduction, limited access (e.g., AOL).
2000s: Increased accessibility with innovations like the iPhone, texting, chatrooms, and social media.
Today:
Nearly all Americans have internet access.
No significant gender gap in technology use; increased race and income parity in both internet and mobile phone usage (Rainie, 2015a; Perrin, 2017).

Mid-2000s: Rise of Social Networking Sites (SNS) such as Facebook and Twitter.
Two-thirds of Americans use SNS.
80% of Americans own cell phones.

What new communication apps have you adopted recently?
Which apps have fallen out of use? How do these changes influence your communication style?

Changes in Smart Phones and Social Media Platforms (SMS):
Rapid evolution including stories, hashtags, and videos.
The role of influencers in shaping communication.
Digital Revolutions:
Internet
Mobile connectivity
Social media
Anticipation of future trends: global digital connectedness, AI, augmented reality, and big data.

Synchronicity Theory: Different communication channels offer various levels of synchronicity, enabling real-time interaction.
Examples of Synchronous Communication: Face-to-face, Zoom, and video calls.
Asynchronous Communication: Involves delays between messages:
Examples: USPS, voicemail, fax.
Both synchronous and asynchronous forms include texting, email, and online forums.
Choose the appropriate communication channel based on communication goals.

Have you experienced delays in responses on chats? How did this influence your interpretation and relationships?

Instant responses expected in texting can complicate interpretations of communication.
Quick replies signify intimacy in relationships.
Expectations breed uncertainty, potentially causing negative emotions.
Expectations influenced by social norms and context.

Media Richness: Ability to convey multiple cues (visual, vocal, feedback opportunities).
Example: Video chat facilitating nonverbal interaction.
Media Naturalness: Less cognitive effort required in natural communication forms such as video calls and phone conversations.

Addresses the adaptation of communication in the absence of nonverbal cues through other means (e.g., emojis, capitalization).
Language adaptation strategies to enhance meaning.

Crowdsourcing: Engaging large groups through the internet to tackle problems.
Utilizes collective talent and creativity.
Examples: Waze, Amazon Studios.

Use of social media for gauging consumer response and generating buzz (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, influencer marketing).
Platforms like Slack and Discord for enterprise communication depend on collective input.

Online peer networks provide social support for various personal issues.
Examples: SNS forums for emotional or health-related assistance.
Concept of social capital that involves deriving value from social connections (Williams, 2006).
Emotions can spread contagiously on SNS, influencing overall wellbeing.
Crowdfunding examples: GoFundMe.

Digital Disparities: Gaps in access contribute to social issues.
Psychological challenges include constant comparison and FOMO leading to anxiety.
The concept of "Trophy Hunters": obsessed with documenting moments for social media.
Helpful Tips:
Encourage living in the moment.
Consider social media breaks for mental health.

How have social media strategies helped friends and family cope with stress?
Invitation for final reflections on the changing landscape of communication in a digital age.

Engaging in these discussions helps to understand the dynamic nature of communication in a rapidly changing digital ecosystem and prepares participants for collaboration and personal interactions in society.