Communication is involved in everything we do each and every single day of our lives. Whether it is via sign, body language, vocalizing or by written words. Communication is a vital part of the being that makes us
human.
Throughout the human history, the way in which we communicate has gradually changed over the centuries, and in fact with the technology we have invented over the last few decades alone communication continues to evolve every day. With the invention of the silicon chip and the coming of the computer age our means of communicating with one another is undergoing an electronic revolution.
Online Instant Messaging
Using todays computer coupled to the Internet or world wide web it is possible to IM (instant message), e-mail, and use chat rooms to communicate with friends and family virtually anywhere in the world. It is even possible to communicate with complete strangers anywhere on the globe who may happen to share the same interests as a person from the home, office, car or even Internet cafes where it is possible to rent
computer time by the hour. This brand new form of communicating has altered the day to day lives of billions of people.
Our lives have been changed so much by the latest communication revolution that there are chains of thought that are concerned about a persons isolation and detachment from the physical world due to the addictive nature of computer communication. Another problem that people advocate is that by using the mask of a computer and no real live interaction going on, instant messaging provides the perfect atmosphere for multiple personality identities. However on the other hand there are people who believe this new form of communication actually expands ones social circles.
Many of todays students feel that because instant messaging allows you to converse for free, anywhere, anytime of day, they have managed to keep in touch with far more people than they would have via the
telephone or visits to one another's homes.
Instant messaging has been predicted as being the logical successor to cell phone use.
This leads us to the question, does todays online communication methods, in particular instant messaging, e-mail, and chat rooms, destroy relationships or help them develop and mature? Are relationships hindered or flourished from this type of new environment?
One fear with many of todays parents is that their children will fall into their own virtual online world of communication and completely shut themselves off from the real world around them.
IM, or instant messaging, is one of the latest communication methods that has literally caused a craze around the world. Instant messaging is practically free, quick, and extremely easy to use.
The most popular instant messaging downloadable programs available online today include:
* Yahoo Instant Messenger
* AIM from AOL Instant Messenger
* MSN now called Windows Live Messenger
* A recent addition from Google named Google Talk
* ICQ Messenger, the largest multi lingual IM community online.
* MySpaceIM Instant Message any of your MySpace friends at any time.
* Jabber Ad free alternative to comercial IM services.
* Meebo instant message from absolutely anywhere.
* Trillian all in One Instant Messenger supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, MySpaceIM, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AND IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
Most messengers allow you to chat via text or voice, view by live webcam, send links and computer files including pictures person to person or person to groups of people, and even draw pictures or diagrams via a shared whiteboard.
Becoming addicted to IM and other forms of communication is becoming much more common and in fact you can be hooked on IM without realizing the extent to which it has taken over your life. A typical scenario starts out with a person downloading the IM program, usually a friend or relative has requested they "get MSN" or why not "download Yahoo" so we can keep in touch. After all instant messaging is a very convenient way to keep in touch with friends from school and familly. However soon the person finds themselves signing in more and more often, until you find that the first thing you do every morning is sign onto your instant messaging program to see what everyone else is doing today.
Instant messaging (IM'ing) is now the most commonly used form of communication today, yet online chatting didn't start with the AOL instant messenger script. Instead it all started with electronic mail, e-mail as we now know it.
The Birth of Email
A chap by the name of Ray Tomlinson originally wrote a computer program in 1971 called SNDMSG (send message) that allowed the first email message (QWERTYUIOP) to be sent across Arpanet, the first Internet
network.
Overnight this new form of communication boomed in popularity due to postal mail (snail mail) being so slow. Every computer user was instantly hooked on this new instant message delivering system, e-mail. Instant messaging is mainly used by the younger generations of college and high school students, e-mail however is used by all age groups, including the older generation. Email has withstood the test of time in todays fast paced society and we can expect it to still be prevalent for many many years to come.
Along Came Chat rooms
Chat rooms have become one of the worlds most popular online retreats. Chat rooms come in all shapes, sizes and especially topics. One of the first forms of chat rooms was IRC - Internet Relay Chat
Today you can find and join chat topic oriented rooms like, music chats, online gaming, adult chat, gay, lesbian, bi and alt rooms, health, entertainment happenings, religious, teens, sports and
recreation, male chat, female chat and local chat rooms dedicated to specific countries, cities and states. There are chat rooms online today created for virtually any topic under the sun, with one of the favorite chat rooms for teens and older being romance chat rooms.
The Romance or Love Chat room
One of the most popular online chat room categories is the love and romance chats. It has been said that one of the reasons for this is that when online, people are able to express themselves much more freely and
not have to worry about what they say or what someone may think of them since they have never met the other person before. Chat rooms allow you to be whoever you want to be and say whatever you want, depending on the rooms moderators of course (if they have one).
Chat rooms and in particular romance and love chat has led to the online communication phenomena we know today as cybersex. Cybersex is often seen as an alternative to the risks of real sexual contact, be it
diseases or physical abuse, and can serve as an alternative to visiting the singles bar for a one night stand.
The ability to not show the "real you" in chat rooms can make for some very interesting conversations and show different sides of people that their friends and family would never see. Many argue that the Internet
diffuses real identities, and others feel that the online world is a special haven where their true personalities can be released. With the ability to create a whole new identity online, are people now living double lives? Do you really think you know the true person you're talking to? See our article on chat room safety for more details and information on chatting safely online.
Winding up
Todays new communication methods definitely benefit society, but only to a certain degree. Used in excess, instant messaging, e-mail, and chat rooms can be detrimental to both your physical health and social life.
Always remember, the key to any good thing is moderation.
