A Classification of Features for Interpersonal Disconnectivity in Digital Media

Classification of Features for Interpersonal Disconnectivity in Digital Media

Title: A Classification of Features for Interpersonal Disconnectivity in Digital Media: Block, Unfriend, Unfollow, Mute, Withhold, and Eject
Author: Nicholas John (Department of Communication and Journalism, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel)
Correspondence: n.john@huji.ac.il
Submission and Publication Dates:
- Submitted: 19 May 2024
- Accepted: 2 September 2024
- Published: 10 October 2024
Journal: Media and Communication, Volume 12, Article 8716
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.8716
Issue: Part of “Disconnectivity in a Changing Media and Political Landscape”
Keywords: blocking, disconnection, disconnectivity, feature analysis, social media, unfollowing, unfriending

The article presents the first comprehensive classification and lexicon for features that dissolve interpersonal ties in digital environments, including the functions of blocking, unfriending, unfollowing, muting, withholding, and ejecting.
Motivations:
- Existing analyses of social media features do not address features enabling interpersonal disconnectivity.
- Studies on interpersonal disconnectivity overlook the features that facilitate such actions.
Contributions:
- Disambiguation of terminology for better analytical distinction between feature types.
- Addressing the ambiguity between filtering information and avoiding interpersonal interactions.

The article aims to classify features related to dissolving interpersonal ties in digital media for better analytical understanding.
It underlines the inadequacies of social media feature analyses in addressing interpersonal disconnectivity.
Posits critical questions regarding user intentions behind actions such as blocking and unfriending in light of social relationships in online contexts.

Definition of a Feature: Featured defined as a tool that enables user activity, which can impact both the user and their connections.
- Smock et al. (2011): “A technical tool on the site that enables activity on the part of the user.”
- Sajtos et al. (2022): “Platforms can be regarded as a collection of features.”
- Hasinoff and Bivens (2021): Defined features as functions that developers publicize or make visible to users.
The significance of feature analysis is highlighted in examining social media interfaces and their implications on user behavior.
Notable scholarly approaches include:
- Stanfill (2015): Advocated for a discursive interface analysis to evaluate site affordances and their cultural implications.
- Bivens: Focused on revealing normative assumptions preserved within social media designs.
Highlighted the gap in existing literature related to features enabling interpersonal disconnectivity, termed as “forgotten features” by Weller (2016).

There is a growing interest in the political and cultural implications of unfriending and similar behaviors on social media.
Research has identified terminological inconsistencies surrounding these actions.

Confusions defined between the terms "friends" and "followers" reflecting the one-directional versus mutual nature of relationships on social media systems.
Different perspectives from researchers highlight overlapping concepts that obscure clarity and understanding.

Analyzed 37 social media platforms to catalog features related to interpersonal disconnectivity through documentation and system analysis.
- Identification of features based on definitions, usability, and service comparisons.
Methodological approach aligned with a two-stage feature-level analysis akin to O’Riordan et al. (2016), creating a comprehensive dataset.
Full documentation available via the Open Science Framework (OSF).

Documented 52 distinct features, with a specific frequency of mention leading to key observations.
Most Common Features:
- Block (57 mentions)
- Unfollow (27 mentions)
- Mute (14 mentions)
- Unfriend (12 mentions)
Collective listing of features categorized into more general types, e.g., definitions of mute and unfriend based on documented usage across different platforms.

Core functionality designed to prevent communication, disallowing any interaction from the blocked party.
Unique to platforms, blocking serves as a barrier to any future interactions and can also eliminate historical engagement.

Predominantly recognized as dissolution of mutual ties; allows one party to sever the connection without mutual consent.
Implications entail both parties losing access to each other's content, differing from blocking mechanisms.

The act of reversing the subscription-like relationship; does not influence the other party's content visibility.

A form of disconnectivity that maintains ties but restricts the visibility of content.
This function includes temporary actions (e.g., snoozing) and specialized options like Instagram's restrict feature.

The action of preventing content from reaching a designated follower's view.
Serves to uphold barriers in content dissemination without actually severing interpersonal relationships.

Involves severing the connection without eliminating the ability for the unfollowed party to see the ejected user's content unless restricted by privacy settings.
Similarities with withholding yet highlights a deliberate disconnect through selective expulsion from follower lists.

The classification aims to provide clarity over disconnectivity features in social media, establishing a consistent lexicon for further research.
Emphasizes the need for ongoing exploration of the motivations behind the use of these disconnectivity features as they blend personal and content management.
Sets a directional focus for future research on the integration of these features into user dynamics and community dialogues on social media, shaping expectations regarding user interaction and connection.