Instant Messaging Research Articles

From news websites to social media: Unpacking the influence of online channels on presumed influence and responses to misinformation

This study employs the theoretical model of the influence of presumed influence to examine the mechanisms that drive online users to engage in information authentication and social correction, which are critical for countering misinformation. In particular, this study examines how the perceived prevalence and presumed influence of misinformation affect the intention to verify and correct misinformation, and how the use of different online platforms (i.e., social networking sites, video platforms, instant messaging applications, and news websites) for political news shapes these perceptions. This research draws on survey data from 2,589 respondents in Taiwan. The findings indicate that perceived prevalence has a positive relationship with presumed influence, which in turn, leads to authentications and corrections. Moreover, using social networking sites and video platforms for political news is positively related to perceived prevalence, whereas instant messaging applications have a negative association.

The Impact of Digital Communication on Language Evolution among Urban Youth in Singapore

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of digital communication on language evolution among urban youth in Singapore. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study on the found that digital platforms significantly influence language evolution among this demographic. It revealed a noticeable shift towards abbreviated forms, emoticons, and slang in everyday communication, driven by social media and instant messaging. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social network theory, diffusion of innovations theory & identity theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of digital communication on language evolution among urban youth in Singapore. Implement educational programs that enhance digital literacy skills among youth, focusing on critical evaluation of online content and responsible language use. Develop policies that promote digital inclusion and accessibility, ensuring all youth have equal opportunities to engage in online communication.

Strategies for Effective Dentist-Patient Communication: A Literature Review.

The effectiveness of high-quality dental care predominantly lies on the communication between dentist and patient. However, little literature has reported the importance of these "soft skills" in dental practice. The aim of this literature review is to explore strategies for effective dentist-patient communication. Dentist-patient communication is a bidirectional process involving the exchange of ideas that should be clear (easy to understand), correct (accurate), concise (to the point), complete (with essential information), and cohesive (well-organized). Effective communication empowers patients with the knowledge required to make an informed decision about their own oral health. It not only improves the dentist's efficiency and boosts patient confidence, but also alleviates patients' dental anxiety and fear, addresses patients' needs and preferences, increases patients' adherence, and enhances patient satisfaction. To enhance dentist-patient communication, dentists should take the patient-centered approach as a premise. The approach comprises understanding patients' illnesses, shared decision-making, and mindful intervention at the patient's own pace. In addition, dentists should use simple, succinct language, proper body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact when interacting with patients. Dentists should show empathy, encourage questions and feedback, employ visual aids, and give ample time to patients. Nowadays, dentists and their patients use messaging applications in their communication. This form of telecommunication is not only a convenient way of communication but also reduces the costs associated with a dentist visit. In conclusion, effective dentist-patient communication is vital for the success of dental practice. Dentists who prioritize communication and build positive relationships with their patients are more likely to achieve positive outcomes and foster the expansion of their dental practice.

A three-year project on Structural Health Monitoring of railway bridges: main results and lessons learnt

Bridges and viaducts worldwide are threatened by ageing, increasing loads and climate-related extreme events. The situation calls for immediate actions to prevent catastrophic failures and extend the life of our infrastructural heritage. In this regard, thanks to significant efforts from academics, Structural Health Monitoring is paving its way towards application in the real world. Unlike the simple monitoring activity, which is not new in the field, SHM is more identifiable as a paradigm, encompassing several steps and involving many stakeholders. Also, the focus is not on a project level but on the network as a whole. Such a new perspective offers the opportunity – and obliges at the same time – to look for synergies among different bridges, with the aim of designing standardized guidelines to foster SHM scalability. Embracing this vision, in 2020, RFI and the Mechanical Engineering Department of Politecnico di Milano gave birth to a collaboration oriented to testing the application of Structural Health Monitoring on the Italian railway infrastructure. The project had a twofold objective: on the one hand, the realisation of an automated software to extract and deliver information from the monitoring systems installed on three pilot bridges; on the other hand, the draft of guidelines that could report the lessons learnt and generalise as much as possible the design and exploitation of SHM on railway bridges. Given the interest in the feasibility of an extensive adoption of such practice, the pilot bridges were selected to be representative of the whole network. This paper wraps up the three-year project, intending to share the experience gained in the field and the take-home messages for future applications of SHM, with a focus on the key aspects for a broad spectrum adoption of this paradigm.

Could Online Education Replace Face-to-Face Education in Diabetes? A Systematic Review.

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is a critical component of diabetes care. This study aims to examine the effect of online-based educational interventions on diabetes management compared to face-to-face interventions. A systematic review was conducted by searching three databases for studies in English or Spanish between December 2023 and March 2024. The inclusion criteria were studies that compared face-to-face DSMES with online interventions. The follow-up duration of the trials ranged from 1 to 12months. Multidisciplinary teams delivered online DSMES through various means, including Short Message Service (SMS), telephone calls, video calls, websites, and applications. Online DSMES was found to be comparable to face-to-face interventions in terms of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In contrast, online interventions that focus on weight management in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have shown a significant reduction in HbA1c compared to face-to-face interventions. Online DSMES was found to be superior in terms of quality of life and cost-effectiveness in both T1D and T2D. None of the analyzed studies explored the differences between individual and group methodologies. The current evidence indicates that online DSMES services provide at least comparable biomedical benefits to face-to-face interventions, suggesting that online interventions could be incorporated into clinical practice as a complement or reinforcement. However, further research is needed to explore the potential benefits and effectiveness of online group sessions in DSMES.

Chat-Based Instant Messaging Support Reduces Alcohol Use in University Students.

According to this study.

The Essential Technology Implementations for Developing a Hybrid Module for High School Physics in the Sultanate of Oman

Physics is commonly perceived as a challenging academic discipline, with a contributing factor being the limited availability of educational resources to support students. Consequently, there arises a need to develop a module focused on the incorporation of technology in physics education. The integration of technology within pedagogical modules refers to the practice of including various technological Implementations in educational content. This study aimed to investigate and rank the most efficient technological implementations for designing a pedagogical hybrid physics module for students in grades 9-12 in the Sultanate of Oman. A literature review was conducted concerning the integration of technology in hybrid learning and physics education. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed for data collection, the data were analyzed utilizing Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM). To establish the FD instrument, a panel of six experts was consulted through semi-structured interviews. This panel identified 13 significant technology Implementations for the development of the module. Subsequently, a group of 12 experts was surveyed to identify the essential technology Implementations. Consequently, four technology Implementations were excluded, while the accepted Implementations were then prioritized using FDM. The findings revealed that Mobile instant messaging claimed the top position, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) ranking at the lowest position.

Withdrawal notice to: The five-factor model, social network, and social influence in instant messaging groups [Adv. Des. Res. 2 (2024) 14–25

Withdrawal notice to: The five-factor model, social network, and social influence in instant messaging groups [Adv. Des. Res. 2 (2024) 14–25

Research on the Architectural Design and Performance Optimization of Large Scale Real-Time Chat Systems

With the rapid development of internet technology, large-scale real-time chat systems have become an essential tool for connecting users worldwide. These systems not only support the core functions of social communication but also serve as key platforms for business, education, and remote collaboration. However, the surge in user numbers and the explosive growth in message volume pose unprecedented technical challenges to real-time chat systems, including high concurrency processing, low latency communication, data consistency assurance, and system scalability. This study aims to explore and implement an efficient, stable, and scalable architecture for large-scale real-time chat systems and propose corresponding performance optimization strategies. The research employs literature review, system analysis, prototype design, and performance evaluation methods. It first analyzes the design limitations and performance bottlenecks of existing real-time chat systems. Based on this analysis, a microservices-based system design scheme is proposed, which enhances system performance and reliability through componentized services, message queues, load balancing, and caching mechanisms. In terms of performance optimization, this paper focuses on key technologies such as load balancing algorithms, asynchronous processing mechanisms of message queues, caching strategies, and data storage optimization. Experimental evaluations have confirmed the significant effects of the proposed scheme in handling high-concurrency requests, reducing system latency, and improving data throughput.

A Black-Box Privacy Analysis of Messaging Service Providers' Chat Message Processing

Online messaging has rapidly emerged as today's primary communication platform, extending from personal, to business and even to government channels. But can these services be trusted to maintain the privacy of your communication? This paper addresses this question by evaluating 105 different online messaging platforms. Utilizing “honey” messages and active HTTP(S) , WebSocket, and WebRTC traffic monitoring, along with continuous observation of honey token access, we determine which messaging services process user messages beyond mere transmission. We conduct a large-scale honey token-based study on 69 popular web and 36 mobile messaging applications. Our findings reveal that 34 % of messaging services show capabilities of server-side message analysis. Seven of these messengers evidently conduct an extended analysis of the messages, reusing the results hours to an observed maximum of a month after the chat concluded. This shows that one cannot automatically expect the same confidentiality when chatting via messengers compared to in-person communication.

ADAPTING TO THE DIGITAL ERA: KEY SKILLS FOR FUTURE ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS

Unemployment can be considered as global challenge faced by almost all countries. However, further analysis by the Department of Statistics of Malaysia (DOSM) revealed a worrisome detail in which the rate of skill-related underemployment graduates continues to rise up recording 33.9 per cent in 2021 as compared to 31.2 per cent in 2020. Skill-related underemployment graduates is identified as occupation mismatch taking into consideration their educations, knowledge and skills were not fully utilised to their current work. Occupation mismatch may be worsened with the rapid growth of information and communication technology (ICT) and accounting graduates is no exception. Accounting profession is notified to also be highly at risk of being digitalised and automated in the near future. Accounting graduates with top academic credentials may still possibly failed to secure jobs because employers may view certificate and approval requirements are not enough. Instead, they require more incremental benefits such soft skills, communication skills, leaderships skills and ability to work in team. Importantly, students need to be aware of the employment needs and equipped themselves with skills beyond classroom learning before they finally graduated. To address this issue, this study will be carried out with the purpose to identify the important of accounting skills required for employment in accounting profession. A group of accounting students will be identified to participate this research. This research employs qualitative approach utilizing structured interviews which will be conducted through several medium of communication namely, phone calls and online questionnaires distributed through instant messaging application using Google form. The findings from this study are hoped to provide some suggestions of programs, activities, or new approaches on improving and enhancing accounting graduates’ skills that would transform them into highly marketable graduates.

Analysis of Social Media’s Impact on the Behavior of Islamic Education Students at IAIN Kerinci

Today's information and communication technology continues to develop, making it easier for everyone to find information or to communicate with others. In recent years, information and communication technology (ICT) has developed very rapidly. Currently, the development of information and communication technology (ICT) is rapidly advancing and extending into various aspects of life. The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G networks are some of the innovations driving this progress. The presence of these technologies enables broader connectivity, more sophisticated automation, and increased efficiency across various sectors, such as healthcare, education, business, and transportation. The use of social media and instant messaging applications is also becoming more widespread, making communication between individuals and groups easier and faster. The internet has also presented new innovations in technology, one of which is social media. social media, proven to be able to shape opinions, attitudes and behavior of the public or society. This study aims to determine the impact of social media on the behavior of Islamic Religious Education students IAIN Kerinci. This study uses a quantitative approach to determine the impact of social media use on the moral awareness of Islamic Religious Education students IAIN Kerinci. Data collection techniques used are questionnaires and questionnaires. The object of this research is students of Islamic Religious Education IAIN Kerinci. Data analysis used in this research is descriptive statistics. In the research, it was found that social media can have a greater positive impact on the behavior of Islamic Religious Education students at IAIN Kerinci. The negative impact is around 14.6% of 48 people who agreed with the statement, "Using social media makes me forget to fulfill my religious obligations."

Application of the NIST 800-86 Framework to Forensic Digital Evidence for Signal and Litmatch

Exchanging messages is a routine that cannot be avoided at this time. With the development of technology, exchanging messages has become easier to do. The thing that makes exchanging messages easier is the instant messaging application. Examples of instant messaging applications are the Signal and Litmatch applications. In addition to the ease of exchanging messages, there are also negative impacts, such as threats and bullying. Forensic analysis is carried out to find and obtain evidence of digital crimes. This research was conducted to find and obtain evidence of Signal and Litmatch applications by conducting case scenarios and using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-86 method. This study uses the MobilEdit Forensic and Autopsy tools to obtain evidence from the Signal and Litmatch applications.

Exploring Boundary Violations Among Remote Workers with ICTs

ABSTRACT The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a widespread shift to remote work, solidifying its status as a prevalent and mainstream employment model. As the world emerges from the health crisis, remote work maintains its popularity. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) played a pivotal role during the pandemic, enabling virtual work from any location at any time. However, the increased reliance on ICTs has elicited both praise and criticism for its potential impact on “work-life balance,” a concept gaining prominence. Notably, the use of instant messaging (IM) and enterprise social networking (ESN) platforms in remote work has become commonplace, raising questions about boundary violations within existing boundary theory research. This study aims to explore the extent of these violations and confirms that the use of IM and ESN tools, in conjunction with job satisfaction, can moderate boundary issues within the boundary theory framework. It contributes valuable insights for optimizing work-life balance and well-being in the context of remote work, thereby benefiting organizations and individuals in the evolving work landscape.

Engagement With a Mobile Chat-Based Intervention for Smoking Cessation

Determining how individuals engage with digital health interventions over time is crucial to understand and optimize intervention outcomes. To identify the engagement trajectories with a mobile chat-based smoking cessation intervention and examine its association with biochemically validated abstinence. A secondary analysis of a pragmatic, cluster randomized clinical trial conducted in Hong Kong with 6-month follow-up. From June 18 to September 30, 2017, 624 adult daily smokers were recruited from 34 community sites randomized to the intervention group. Data were analyzed from March 6 to October 30, 2023. Chat-based cessation support delivered by a live counselor via a mobile instant messaging app for 3 months from baseline. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify engagement trajectories using the participants' weekly responses to the messages from the counselor over the 3-month intervention period. The outcome measures were biochemically validated tobacco abstinence at 3-month (end of treatment) and 6-month follow-ups. Covariates included sex, age, educational level, nicotine dependence, past quit attempt, and intention to quit at baseline. Of 624 participants included in the analysis, 479 were male (76.8%), and the mean (SD) age was 42.1 (16.2) years. Four distinct engagement trajectories were identified: low engagement group (447 [71.6%]), where participants maintained very low engagement throughout; rapid-declining group (86 [13.8%]), where participants began with moderate engagement and rapidly decreased to a low level; gradual-declining group (58 [9.3%]), where participants had high initial engagement and gradually decreased to a moderate level; and high engagement group (58 [5.3%]), where participants maintained high engagement throughout. Compared with the low engagement group, the 6-month validated abstinence rates were significantly higher in the rapid-declining group (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 3.30; 95% CI, 1.39-7.81), gradual-declining group (ARR, 5.17; 95% CI, 2.21-12.11), and high engagement group (ARR, 4.98; 95% CI, 1.82-13.60). The corresponding ARRs (95% CI) of 3-month validated abstinence were 4.03 (95% CI, 1.53-10.59), 5.25 (95% CI, 1.98-13.88), and 9.23 (95% CI, 3.29-25.86). The findings of this study suggest that higher levels of engagement with the chat-based smoking cessation intervention were associated with greater biochemically validated tobacco abstinence. Improving engagement with digital interventions may increase intervention benefits. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03182790.

Mobile instant messaging services in the local governments: citizens’ uses of the WhatsApp services of the Spanish City Councils

Mobile instant messaging services such as WhatsApp have become increasingly relevant among citizens in recent years. By a quantitative approach based on a survey (n=1,202), our objective is to find out why citizens use WhatsApp and, to be more specific, why they use the WhatsApp service offered by the city council of the municipality of residence where they live. The results show how age, gender, and the respondents' educational level are related to the different uses they make of WhatsApp, especially concerning actions related to participation. Second, the local government WhatsApp service still has an intermediate penetration among citizens, so there is much room for improvement. Finally, the data reveals that age and gender determine the uses of the City Council WhatsApp service. These findings provide interesting data for local governments to improve the relationship with citizens through this mobile communication tool.

Testing a hybrid risk assessment model: Predicting CSAM offender risk from digital forensic artifacts

BackgroundRecent research argues for a formalized hybrid risk assessment model that combines the current online child sex abuse risk measures with digital forensics artifacts. ObjectiveWe conducted a feasibility study as an initial step toward formalizing the hybrid risk assessment model by identifying high-level digital forensic artifacts that have the potential to be valid and reliable indicators of risk, with a focus on CPORT Items 5, 6, and 7. DataLaw enforcement investigators from a High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) randomly selected seven closed cases; selection criteria included: male offender over 18, mobile device, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offense, and 2019–2023 index offense. Investigation details related to probable cause, final charges, conviction, and offender risk were not disclosed. Statistical information (f, %) for the following digital forensics artifacts was examined: 1) pornography collection (e.g., % of media, content type, gender ratio) and 2) evidence of networking/grooming and other problematic online activities (e.g., number of native messages vs. application messages; type of installed apps). MethodThe analysis predicted whether the offender was a CSAM-only or dual offender and if our findings agreed with the level of risk for reoffending suggested by CPORT Items 5, 6, and 7. Results were shared with the HTCU and scored for accuracy. ResultsThe hybrid model was accurate in 6 of 7 cases. ConclusionWe conclude a hybrid model is feasible, and the findings illustrate the importance of analyzing app artifacts for context. Study limitations and future research recommendations are discussed.

Disparities in cancer clinical trials information-seeking: Findings from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service

ObjectiveTo better understand cancer clinical trials (CCT) information-seeking, a necessary precursor to patient and provider engagement with CCT. MethodsData from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) were used to examine CCT information-seeking patterns over a 5-year period. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine characteristics of CIS inquiries and their associations with having a CCT discussion. ResultsBetween September 2018 – August 2023, 117,016 CIS inquiries originated from cancer survivors, caregivers, health professionals, and the general public; 27.5 % of these inquiries included a CCT discussion (n = 32,160). Among CCT discussions, 35.5 % originated from survivors, 53.5 % from caregivers, 6.1 % from the public, and 4.9 % from health professionals. Inquiries in Spanish had lower odds of a CCT discussion (OR=.26, [.25–.28]), whereas inquiries emanating from the CIS instant messaging (OR=2.29, [2.22–2.37]) and email (OR=1.24, [1.18–1.30]) platforms were associated with higher odds of discussing CCT compared to the telephone. Individuals who were male, younger, insured, and had higher income and education had significantly higher odds of a CCT discussion while those who were non-Hispanic Black and living in rural locales had significantly lower odds. ConclusionsDisparities in CCT information-seeking may contribute to downstream CCT participation. Practice ImplicationsQuality, language-concordant health information is needed to enable equitable awareness of – and ultimately engagement in – CCT.

Penggunaan Stiker Whatsapp Dan Pengaruh Terhadap Efektivitas Komunikasi Digital Dikalangan Orang Tua (Studi Kasus Pada Orang Tua Di Baladewa Rt 08 Kota Bandung)

The advent of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp has changed the way parents communicate digitally. One of the more popular features is the use of stickers in messages. This study aims to determine the use of WhatsApp stickers in digital communication among parents in Baladewa Rt 08, Bandung city, and measure its impact on the effectiveness of their communication. This research uses quantitative methods, the data collection technique is in the form of a questionnaire to a group of parents who actively use WhatsApp stickers in daily communication. The results showed that the use of WhatsApp stickers can increase emotional expression and creativity in parents' digital communication and how the use of these stickers affects their communication effectiveness in facing the challenges of modern digital communication. However, there is also the constraint that the use of WhatsApp stickers may compromise communication effectiveness in some contexts. Therefore, this study provides an in-depth insight into how the use of WhatsApp stickers affects digital communication among parents, with diverse impacts for the development of communication and interaction technologies. The conclusions of this study can help in developing an understanding of how parents interact with digital communication technologies.

The Effects Resulting from Using WhatsApp in the Routines of Education Workers

This article aims to explore the impacts of power dynamics arising from the use of the WhatsApp instant messaging application on the work routines of civil servants within a public educational institution. Utilizing the Foucauldian genealogy of power as a theoretical framework, we endeavor to conduct a critical historical analysis of the mechanics behind socially constituted power relations. Employing a qualitative case study approach, we juxtapose the analytics of power (drawing categories from the Foucauldian genealogy) with the investigative model of technological paradoxes, focusing on ‘Control vs. Chaos’ and ‘Autonomy vs. Addiction’, against data collected from interviews to uncover the power effects within this virtual space. Key findings include the observation that managers leverage a ‘system of differentiations’ to categorize and control subordinates through WhatsApp in a sophisticated and efficient manner. Moreover, the supposed enhancement of productivity through hyperconnectivity leads to compulsive smartphone use among employees, a phenomenon we interpret, following Foucault, as an institutionalized process of worker subjugation. Nonetheless, practices of resistance emerge, contesting these subjugation processes that affect the subject-workers. The institutional ‘battle’ for increased autonomy and healthier work routines emerges as one of the most potent forms of resistance against the overreach of power effects associated with WhatsApp use in the examined work contexts.