What is Instant Messaging

Intant messaging, IRC, and Text messaging (or texting) are all different ways to have conversations using text rather that live or via voice communications such as a telephone. AIM is the form of instant messaging provided by one of the major poineers and providers of IM, AOL (AIM stants for AOL Instant Messaging.) While there are differences, and the underlying technologies used can be quite different, the fundamental similarities are enough to justify discussing them together for these purposes. Unless otherwise stated, I will use IM for all of these, but please understand that I'm really referring to all of these formats.

Why Bother

• Multiple conversations can be going on at one time without people feeling that their respondent is being rude.
• IM allows people to quickly and quietly exchange information without disturbing others.
• IM conversations can be going on while people are doing other things (although, this can also be a distraction).
• In some cases, it's the least expensive form of "real time" communications (ie where two people can actually have a conversation.)
• IM conversations can allow somoene to quickly get information relevant to a current, ongoing conversation without interupting or breaking up the existing conversation.
• IM and Text messages can often be sent out to multiple people at once.
• IM, and especially text messages, are more accessible than email, and less disruptive that telephone calls.

Potential Issues

• The style generally used in IM is beyond informal, and relies heavily on acronyms, abbreviations, and other forms of shorthand. Proper spelling and basics of grammar and punctuation are ignored as a matter of course. People, especially young people, who heavily use IM without also heavily using other forms of written communications often develop very poor writing habits which get in their way later on.
• Because these conversations can easily "fly below the radar" it's temptingly easy to have conversations that should not be going on, either because the correspondent is inappropriate or because it is a distraction from what the person is supposed to be doing. (The latter is especially true when the conversation is going on over a cell phone.)
• As is true with other forms of electronic communications, you really don't know who is at the other keyboard, unless you have other means of communications with the person. And, because of the short messages and the common style used, it can be very difficult to really get a sense of who the person is, and whether someone is really who they claim to be.
• IM style communications can be used to create a false sense of comradeship or intimacy that makes people vulnerable to revealing too much information without really getting a true sense of the person at the other end.
• IM and Text messages can be recorded far more easily than telephone conversations, although this is not common.
• Various types of  mal-ware can be transmitted by IM.

If you use IM, Text Messaging or IRC

• Do not allow "IM Only" buddies. Anyone on the IM list must be at least a real pen pal, and preferably someone you have met in real life.
• Never answer IMs from people you do not know.
• Set up IM so that there is no indicator in any of the directories that you exist or are on line.  Those who know you can send you a message to see if you are there (much like dialing the phone.)
• Limit the amount of information put into your IM registration / account.
• Be willing to disconnect your IM when you need to work uninterupted (much like putting a phone on DND, or taking it off the hook).
• Set your IM to block downloads. If someone you know wants to send you something, ask them to email it.
• Don't put into an IM anything you don't want on the frint page of the major papers or on all the blogs.