Smart Phones and Mediated Relationships: The Changing Face of Relational Communication

Abstract

Studies of the impact of computer-mediated forms of communication (CMC) on interpersonal relationships have focused primarily on observing, chronicling, or analyzing how today's digital age has changed face-to-face (FtF) forms of interrelating. This exploratory study provides an initial empirical base for communication scholars to reconsider their reliance on the treatment of computer mediated communication and mobile technology (MT) as an addendum to FtF communication, and instead to recognize that individuals use mobile communication to develop close relationships across a wide variety of interrelated and converging contexts. Survey data collected from 526 undergraduate students at a large public university in the Southeast demonstrate that many individuals heavily rely on mobile forms of MT technology and its applications to facilitate continuous, yet mediated contact with others. This is true for both close relationships and intimate relationships. We call for researchers to consider the transformational implications of this new communication phenomenon, how it transforms interpersonal and relational development and specific research agendas that should be undertaken. The communication has quickly grown more complex and messier.

Keywords:

• Communication &Technology
• Interpersonal Communication
• Mediatization
• Relationship Development
• Mobile Communication

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend our gratitude to Garnet Butchart for his careful review of and prescient suggestions for this manuscript including where to send it.

Notes

¹ The CMC phenomenon has also been referred to by other names including information and communication technology (ICT) (see Haythornwaite and Kendall; Johnson) and advanced communication and information technologies (ACIT) (see Waldeck, Seibold, and Flanagin). In this paper we use the term mobile technology (MT) to represent the smart phone phenomenon and the increasing development and use of mobile devices like Apple's smart watches and Google glasses.

² For an excellent overview of mediatization see Couldry and Hepp.

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