Popular messaging platform WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature – double blue check marks -- to allow users to tell if their messages have been read by the intended recipient. This “message read” feature generate divided opinion amongst users. Some praised the new update, as WhatsApp’s rivals, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Viber and others have offered read receipts as an option for several years. Others felt this was an invasion of their privacy. Some even claimed that the new feature is going to aggravate insecurities amongst friends and ruin relationships.
Previous findings show that text messaging provides an opportunity for intimate personal contact (Thurlow, 2003) whilst at the same time offering the detachment necessary to manage self- presentation and involvement (Chenault, 1998; Danet, 1995; Ling & Yttri, 2002). The “message read” feature seems to cast doubt on previous findings.
In this research, I would like to examine users’ perception of “message read” feature and what emotional and psychological impact does the feature bring to personal conversation in messaging platforms.
RQ1: How frequently do users pay attention to the “message read” feature while they are interacting in the messaging platforms?
RQ2: What are the senders' perspective and receivers' perspective on the “message read” feature in the messaging platforms?
RQ3a: How frequently do senders experience anxiety of social awkwardness when the receivers do not reply message?
RQ3b: How frequently do receivers experience anxiety of social awkwardness when they do not reply message?
H1: The anxiety of social awkwardness of not replying a message would increase if the message is sent by someone who is closer to self (i.e., family, friends, romantic partner) than when “others” are more distant to self (i.e., acquaintances, employers, strangers).
H2: The anxiety of social awkwardness of not replying a message would increase if the conversation involves two people instead of a group more than two people.
RQ4: Do users perceive the “message read” feature affects personal contact in a positive way or negative way?
Previous findings show that text messaging provides an opportunity for intimate personal contact (Thurlow, 2003) whilst at the same time offering the detachment necessary to manage self- presentation and involvement (Chenault, 1998; Danet, 1995; Ling & Yttri, 2002). The “message read” feature seems to cast doubt on previous findings.
In this research, I would like to examine users’ perception of “message read” feature and what emotional and psychological impact does the feature bring to personal conversation in messaging platforms.
RQ1: How frequently do users pay attention to the “message read” feature while they are interacting in the messaging platforms?
RQ2: What are the senders' perspective and receivers' perspective on the “message read” feature in the messaging platforms?
RQ3a: How frequently do senders experience anxiety of social awkwardness when the receivers do not reply message?
RQ3b: How frequently do receivers experience anxiety of social awkwardness when they do not reply message?
H1: The anxiety of social awkwardness of not replying a message would increase if the message is sent by someone who is closer to self (i.e., family, friends, romantic partner) than when “others” are more distant to self (i.e., acquaintances, employers, strangers).
H2: The anxiety of social awkwardness of not replying a message would increase if the conversation involves two people instead of a group more than two people.
RQ4: Do users perceive the “message read” feature affects personal contact in a positive way or negative way?
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