Digitally Mediated Communication

Abstract

Mediation involves an intermediary that conveys information between two entities. Mediation is not new: there remain human mediators like peace negotiators, realtors, and lawyers who broker deals, and analog mediators like writing, printing, and landline phones. Now, our lives feel dominated by digital gadgets that mediate our social interactions-email, texting, social media, and apps (Planet of the phones, 2015). Mediated communication can vary on three dimensions: anonymity, transparency , and synchrony. In some interactions, we know who we're talking to. But in others, we don't-and the other "person" could be software not human. In some interactions, the use of information exchanged is understood by both parties. But in others, it is unclear how that information might be used or repurposed. In some interactions, we receive responses in real time, which provides better feedback to us. But in others, responses may be delayed or may come from database information that was created years ago. For some, mediated communication is the preferred way to communicate. For example, it can be advantageous for people who are shy, introverted, on the autism spectrum, or not speakers of the local language because mediation provides time, distance, and control of messaging. But even within long-term relationships, its use has risen: mothers who text children that dinner is ready and family meals eaten silently in the bluish glow of all the screens at the table (Tierney, 2008). Are we switching from gadgets distracting us from personal relationships to people distracting us from our gadgets? With mediated communication, we feel in control over how others see us and perhaps less vulnerable as we hide behind our screens. Rather than the "messiness" of in-person conversation (Garber, 2014), mediated messages can be edited and sent on our command. Voyeuristically, we consume the posted