IM Online: Instant Messaging Use Among College Students

Research on computer-mediated communication (CMC) has thus far largely overlooked instant messaging (IM), an extremely popular, and increasingly important, form of CMC. This study examines the most prevalent motivations for using IM within what is currently among the largest demographic groups utilizing this tool, college students. Data from 271 students are used to assess current motivations for IM use, its relative (dis)advantages over other communication channels, and its potential displacement of other technologies. Findings indicate that IM usage parallels factors found in other research, although important differences emerge within cross-media comparisons. In addition, respondents exhibited a high capacity for multi-tasking in IM conversations, and results suggest displacement effects, particularly of email by IM. Overall, results of this study shed considerable light on the use of IM among those users who will become increasingly important over time for understanding IM use in the contemporary media environment.