Computer-mediated communication

For example, many take a sociopsychological approach to CMC by examining how humans use "computers" (or digital media) to manage interpersonal interaction, form impressions and maintain relationships.

[7] Another branch of CMC research examines the use of paralinguistic features such as emoticons,[8] pragmatic rules such as turn-taking[9] and the sequential analysis and organization of talk,[10] and the various sociolects, styles, registers or sets of terminology specific to these environments (see Leet).

The study of language in these contexts is typically based on text-based forms of CMC, and is sometimes referred to as "computer-mediated discourse analysis".

The study of communication to achieve collaboration—common work products—is termed computer-supported collaboration and includes only some of the concerns of other forms of CMC research.

Properties that separate CMC from other media also include transience, its multimodal nature, and its relative lack of governing codes of conduct.

[13] Self disclosure is any verbal communication of personally relevant information, thought, and feeling which establishes and maintains interpersonal relationships.

[13] This is due in part to visual anonymity and the absence of nonverbal cues which reduce concern for losing positive face.

[14] Online impression management, self-disclosure, attentiveness, expressivity, composure and other skills contribute to competence in computer mediated communication.

[15] In fact, there is a considerable correspondence of skills in computer-mediated and face-to-face interaction[16] even though there is great diversity of online communication tools.

[23] In addition, CMC can also be useful for allowing individuals who might be intimidated due to factors like character or disabilities to participate in communication.

[24] Making an individual comfortable through CMC also plays a role in self-disclosure, which allows a communicative partner to open up more easily and be more expressive.

The role that anonymity plays in online communication can also encourage some users to be less defensive and form relationships with others more rapidly.

[30] They also rely on social media networks, videoconferences, pornographic video sharing websites, dating pages, online chat rooms, apps, dark web sites,[31] and other platforms.

Example of emoticon use, a paralinguistic aspect of computer-mediated communication.