Interaction in Chat Rooms LM350 Computer Mediated Communication

What’s IRC? Form of online communication that allows apparently synchronous text-based interaction between multiple users in any geographical location where the program can be run Server, channel (chanop, sysop) Users download software, e.g. MSN which provides a “talkline” and a chat window

Who’s who? User Chanop - initiate and moderate a channel. Can “kick” users off channel Sysop or Oper - controls and moderates IRC network. Can moderate and kick off anyone on any channel, send mail to all users etc.

Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same place Different place

Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placeFace to face talking Different place

Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placeFace to face talking Different placeNot possible until telephone

Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placeFace to face talking Leaving note Different placeNot possible until telephone

Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placeFace to face talking Leaving a note Different placeNot possible until telephone Letters

Where does it fit in? CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placechat Different place

Where does it fit in? CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placechat Different placeChat, video conferencing

Where does it fit in? CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placechat , bulletin board Different placeChat, video conferencing

Where does it fit in? CMC SynchronousAsynchronous Same placechat , bulletin board Different placeChat, video conferencing , bulletinboard

How is it different from face to face conversation? Non-presence No voice, gesture, etc Multi-voice - what happens to turn taking? Policed by chanop

Setting norms Balou Gal:How’s everyone? Timgodden:MICHAEL JOLIFFE EGLV:I want to major in advertising Timgodden:HES COOL EGLV:LOL Fan EGLV:tim please lower your caps Timgodden:MICHAEL JOLIFFE Dragonrider:Timgodden, UPPERCASE is normally used for adding EMPHASIS! Otherwise it’s considered SHOUTING (and harder to read).

What’s the fuss? Lack of physical presence & opportunity for play/deception via misleading identities leads to moral panics, especially around children/sex/paedophile

Moral panic? Cohen (1972) Folk Devils & Moral Panics moral panic; an occurrence which is characterised by ‘stylized and stereotypical’ representation by the mass media, and a tendency for those ‘in power’ (politicians, bishops, editors and so on) to man the ‘moral barricades’ and pronounce judgement.

Moral panic? According to Goode & Ben-Yehuda (1994) " A moral panic is characterised by a feeling held by a substantial number of a members of a given society, that evil- doers pose a threat to society and to the moral order as a consequence of their behaviour and, therefore, "something should be done about them and their behaviour".

Moral panics? Mods and Rockers Elvis Presley James Bulger, child violence Satanic rituals Catholic church & child abuse Drugs, e.g. Leah Betts & ecstasy AIDS Asylum seekers

Media & Moral panics? Horror comics Rock and roll James Bulger, child violence & video violence (1993) Columbine shootings & video violence Rap music Chat