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This study proposes to explore the relationship between perceived risk, subjective norm, perceived value, and continuous usage intention via trust as a mediating variable. This research applied a survey which involved 320 IM users (160 from millennials and 160 from Zillennial) in Indonesia. The literature’s existing scales were used to operationalize the constructs proposed in this study. The analyses were conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test hypotheses. The results of the study show that there are differences in the results of the influence of perceived risk on continuous usage intention in the Millennial and Zillennial generations. The results of the study found that continuous usage intention received negative direct impact from perceived risk, positive direct effect from subjective norm, perceived value, and trust on Millennial. In addition, continuous usage intention received negative and not significant direct impact from perceived risk, positive direct effect from subjective norm, perceived value, and trust on Zillennial. The results are useful for instant messaging management into formulating strategies to retain their users in Indonesia. These findings provided theoretical and managerial contributions as well as future research directions.

[ES] Este trabajo aborda la posibilidad de incorporar llamadas a procedimientos remotos a través del protocolo Jabber-RPC de XMPP dentro de la plataforma de sistemas multiagente SPADE (Smart Python Agent Development Environment), a través de un complemento. Este complemento abre las puertas a una gran cantidad de posibilidades, ya que ahora la plataforma está preparada para que los agentes puedan ejecutar servicios que ofrezcan otros agentes. Como caso de estudio se desarrolla una mixtura de expertos, en la que un agente ejecuta predicciones que ofrecen agentes expertos que han sido previamente entrenados. También se desarrolla un agente directorio, que actúa como repertorio de servicios que ofrecen los agentes dentro del sistema., [EN] Abstract This work addresses the possibility of incorporating calls to remote procedures th- rough the Jabber-RPC protocol of XMPP within the multi-agent system platform SPA- DE (Smart Python Agent Development Environment), through a plugin. This plugin opens the door to a great number of possibilities, since the platform is now prepared for agents to execute services offered by other agents. As a case study, a mixture of experts is developed, in which an agent executes pre- dictions offered by expert agents that have been previously trained. A directory agent is also developed, which acts as a repertoire of services offered by agents within the system.

Classical software documentation, as it was conceived and intended decades ago, is not the only reality anymore. Official documentation from authoritative and official sources is being replaced by real-time collaborative platforms and ecosystems that have seen a surge, influenced by changes in society, technology, and best practices. These modern tools influence the way developers document the conception, design, and implementation of software. As a by-product of these shifts, developers are changing their way of communicating about software. Where once official documentation stood as the only truth about a project, we now find a multitude of volatile and heterogeneous documentation sources, forming a complex and ever-changing documentation landscape. Software projects often include a top-level README file with important information, which we leverage to identify their documentation landscape. Starting from ∼12K GitHub repositories, we mine their README files to extract links to additional documentation sources. We present a qualitative analysis, revealing multiple dimensions of the documentation landscape (e.g., content type, source type), highlighting important insights. By analyzing instant messaging application links (e.g., Gitter, Slack, Discord) in the histories of README files, we show how this part of the landscape has grown and evolved in the last decade. Our findings show that modern documentation encompasses communication platforms, which are exploding in popularity. This is not a passing phenomenon: On the contrary, it entails a number of unknowns and socio-technical problems the research community is currently ill-prepared to tackle., LIPIcs, Vol. 263, 37th European Conference on Object-Oriented Programming (ECOOP 2023), pages 43:1-43:24

PurposeThe ubiquity of smartphones has changed how people communicate, work and entertain. In view of conservation of resources theory and the positive spillover effect, this study explores the effect of non-work-related instant messaging (IM) in the workplace on daily task performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the experience sampling method to collect day-level data from 75 employees over a period of 10 workdays. Multilevel path analysis is used to test the hypotheses.FindingsNon-work-related IM exerts a significant negative indirect effect on daily task performance through diminished cognitive engagement. This negative indirect effect disappears when social support is high, thereby showing the function of social support as a neutralizer of the detriment of non-work-related IM on daily task performance.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that organizations can neutralize the harm of non-work-related IM in the workplace by promoting social support perceived by employees.Originality/valueThis study advances the technology and management literature by developing and testing a balanced perspective on the ambivalent effect of workplace smartphone use that considers social and cognitive resource implications.

PurposeWidespread concerns about excessive use of mobile instant messaging (MIM) have inspired research in different disciplines. However, the focus thus far tends to be on diagnostics and cognitive predictors. There is little understanding from the socio-technical perspective to capture the drivers of excessive use of MIM. To address this research gap, the authors aim to enrich existing literature by adopting a social structure and social learning model (SSSLM) to understand the excessive use of MIM. The authors argue that excessive MIM use is developed and reinforced in highly interactive online communication, through a social learning process.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct a cross-sectional online survey to validate our proposed research model on excessive use of mobile instant messaging (MIM). 368 valid responses are obtained from active MIM users in China.FindingsThe results suggest that highly interactive MIM creates a technology-based social structure that facilitates the social learning process of excessive technology use. The influence of perceived interactivity of MIM on excessive MIM use is mediated by a series of contextualized social learning factors. Furthermore, the influences of perceived interactivity on social learning factors are moderated by MIM use experience.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to literature in related fields by highlighting the crucial role of social learning in facilitating excessive technology use. The authors contribute to the social structure and social learning model by contextualizing it into the context of excessive MIM use. Design guidelines are provided with a purpose to inhibit excessive use of MIM.

The processes of information diffusion across social networks (for example, the spread of opinions and the formation of beliefs) are attracting substantial interest in disciplines ranging from behavioral sciences to mathematics and engineering (see "Summary"). Since the opinions and behaviors of each individual are infl uenced by interactions with others, understanding the structure of interpersonal infl uences is a key ingredient to predict, analyze, and, possibly, control information and decisions [1]. With the rapid proliferation of social media platforms that provide instant messaging, blogging, and other networking services (see "Online Social Networks") people can easily share news, opinions, and preferences. Information can reach a broad audience much faster than before, and opinion mining and sentiment analysis are becoming key challenges in modern society [2]. The first anecdotal evidence of this fact is probably the use that the Obama campaign made of social networks during the 2008 U.S. presidential election [3]. More recently, several news outlets stated that Facebook users played a major role in spreading fake news that might have infl uenced the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election [4]. This can be explained by the phenomena of homophily and biased assimilation [5]-[7] in social networks, which correspond to the tendency of people to follow the behaviors of their friends and establish relationships with like-minded individuals.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in research on the use of mobile health (mHealth) apps as disease management tools. However, very few apps are currently available for prostate cancer (PCa) patient management, and the available apps do not combine the needs of physicians with the requirements of patients. This study aimed to describe the development of a mHealth application for PCa survivors called RyPros, which includes dynamic visualization, intelligent reminders, and instant messaging to support decision-making regarding treatment and follow-up and test the initial accessibility and acceptability application. METHODS: The application was developed through a three-step procedure: logical structure design, application programming, and testing. Dynamic visualization, intelligent reminders, and instant messaging were the core functions of RyPros. Twenty-eight participants who had PCa were enrolled in four weeks of follow-up using the RyPros App. We initially evaluated participants’ acceptance of RyPros based on their use of the app (login data, questionnaire completion) and a satisfaction survey. RESULTS: We successfully designed and tested the application. A total of 32 participants were enrolled, of whom 28 completed the 4-week follow-up, yielding a participation rate of 87.5%. Each participant logged on an average of 2.82 times and achieved an average of 0.89 questionnaires per week over the four weeks. Most participants (64%) liked the app, and most participants (71%) were satisfied, giving the RyPros app a rating of 4 or 5. More than half of the participants (61%) intended to use the RyPros app regularly, and the majority of participants agreed that the three core functionalities of RyPros were helpful (20/28, 71% for instant messaging; 16/28, 57% for visualization; and 18/28, 64% for reminders and assessments). CONCLUSIONS: The mHealth application we developed for PCa survivor management provided dynamic visualization, reminders, assessments, and instant messaging to support decision-making based on multidisciplinary collaboration. PCa survivors showed high acceptance of the RyPros app.

Background We aimed to investigate the associations between sociodemographic factors and instant messaging and social network site exposure among 9-year-old children. Methods Data of 4568 children from the Generation R study, a population-based cohort study performed in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were analyzed. Instant messaging exposure was defined as using online chat applications such as MSN, chat boxes, WhatsApp, and Ping. Social network site exposure was defined as using Hyves or Facebook. A series of multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusting for covariates. Results Children of low educated mothers had a higher odds ratio (OR) for instant messaging (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.86) and social network site exposure (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.66) than their counterparts. Being a child from a single-parent family was associated with instant messaging (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.88) and social network site exposure (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.78) more often than their counterparts. Children of low educated fathers (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.95) or from families with financial difficulties (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.59) were associated with a higher OR of social network site exposure than their counterparts. Conclusion The findings suggest that several indicators of lower social position are associated with higher social network site and instant messaging exposure among 9-year-old children. More research is needed in younger children to understand the determinants and impact of social media use.

ResumoEste trabalho tem como objetivo proceder um relato de experiência na disciplina de Contabilidade Tributária do Curso de Graduação presencial em Ciências Contábeis, tendo como recurso de apoio metodológico a utilização do Telegram, um aplicativo caracterizado como um serviço de mensagens instantâneas baseado na nuvem, em que é permitido ao usuário troca de mensagens, fotos, vídeos e arquivos de qualquer tipo, possibilitando a comunicação entre professor e aluno no compartilhamento de informações e materiais de aula. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com o objetivo de retratar as características de utilização do Telegram como suporte de apoio metodológico, levado a campo com abordagem qualitativa e que se ancora nas intersecções entre metodologias ativas e ações didático-pedagógica. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi o registro das interações realizadas no Telegram. Utilizou-se de categorias de análises, sendo essas: descrever, informar, confrontar e reconstruir. O início desta pesquisa ocorreu com a criação de um canal dedicado ao compartilhamento de informações e materiais da disciplina. Os resultados deste estudo indicaram um avanço na socialização e interatividade, promovendo discussões sobre os temas da disciplina, ampliando as capacidades de retorno de informações e reflexões do professor e suas práticas, o que favorece amplamente as mudanças. Conclui-se que, o uso de metodologias ativas de ensino realizadas, por meio deste aplicativo, contribuem no campo de conhecimento, quanto às potencialidades do Telegram, na socialização, na comunicação, na mediação e ao estímulo para a continuidade dos estudos. Palavras-chave: Ensino. Ensino Híbrido. Contabilidade Tributária. Letramentos Digitais. AbstractThis work aims to provide an experience report in the Tax Accounting discipline of the on-site undergraduate course in Accounting Sciences, using Telegram as a methodological support resource, an application characterized as a cloud-based instant messaging service, where the user is allowed to exchange messages, photos, videos and files of any kind, enabling communication between the professor and the student in the sharing of information and class materials. This is a descriptive study, with the objective of portraying the characteristics of using Telegram as a support for methodological support, carried out in the field with a qualitative approach and anchored in the intersections between active methodologies and didactic-pedagogical actions. The data collection instrument was the recording of interactions carried out on the Telegram. Analysis categories were used, namely: describe, inform, confront and reconstruct. The beginning of this research took place with the creation of a channel dedicated to sharing the discipline's information and materials. The results of this study indicated an advance in socialization and interactivity, promoting discussions on the subjects of the discipline, expanding the professors’ ability to return information and reflections and their practices, which largely favors changes. It is concluded that the use of active teaching methodologies carried out, through this application, contributes to the field of knowledge, regarding the potential of Telegram, in socialization, communication, mediation and encouragement in the continuity of studies. Keywords: Teaching. Hybrid Teaching. Tax Accounting. Digital Literacies.

PurposeDuring the digital media era with an explosion of messages, the prevalence of what is known as “message fatigue” has grown. However, there is a lack of understanding toward message fatigue in using instant messengers. Based on the stressor-strain-outcome framework, this study provides a theoretical model to explore possible predictors and consequences of instant messaging fatigue.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothesized model includes communication overload, social overload, instant messaging fatigue, technology and behavioral intention to use instant messaging. Three hundred and eleven responses are collected using an online survey. The authors conduct structural equation modeling to evaluate the hypothesized model and test the hypotheses.FindingsThis study reveals that (1) communication overload and social overload are positively associated with instant messaging fatigue and technostress; (2) higher levels of instant messaging fatigue and technostress are also related to a higher level of intention to discontinue usage; (3) technostress significantly mediates the relationship between instant messaging fatigue and intention to discontinue usage of instant messaging.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to collect data from one university in the United States with a cross-sectional design. Future research should include other countries, different age groups and longitudinal methods to examine instant messaging fatigue.Originality/valueThis study extends existing findings on fatigue in using mobile communication by applying the stressor-strain-outcome framework to IM fatigue and improves the understanding of the potential negative aspects of instant messaging.

An increase in Instant Messenger (IM) application users makes it easier for people to get connected through social media. Application developers regularly offer updates. However, those updates don’t always satisfy users expectations, instead confuse them. Even users are sometimes hesitant to update the app thus they switch to another messaging platform. This research discusses the analysis and comparison of two IM applications that reached 100 million downloads on Play Store; Whatsapp and Telegram. The analysis process is carried out from the features use in the Instant Messenger application. The data collection procedure are conducted by viewing the traffic. The data acquisition technique is done by using literacy and observation study methods to get full access to smartphones. The results of the analysis are in the form of a comparing table between both IM applications and expected to be future reference for further reseach.Peningkatan pengguna aplikasi Instant Messenger (IM) memudahkan masyarakat untuk terhubung melalui media sosial. Pengembang aplikasi secara teratur menawarkan pembaruan. Namun, pembaruan tersebut tidak selalu memenuhi harapan pengguna, malah membingungkan mereka. Bahkan pengguna terkadang ragu untuk memperbarui aplikasi sehingga mereka beralih ke platform perpesanan lain. Penelitian ini membahas tentang analisis dan perbandingan dua aplikasi IM yang mencapai 100 juta unduhan di Play Store; Whatsapp dan Telegram. Proses analisis dilakukan dari fitur-fitur yang digunakan pada aplikasi Instant Messenger. Prosedur pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan melihat lalu lintas. Teknik akuisisi data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode studi literasi dan observasi untuk mendapatkan akses penuh ke smartphone. Hasil analisis berupa tabel perbandingan antara kedua aplikasi IM dan diharapkan dapat menjadi acuan untuk penelitian selanjutnya.

Purpose Mobile instant messaging (IM) has been increasingly adopted by hotels to communicate with customers. This study aims to explore communication between hotels and customers and identifies the factors that affect hotel customers’ intention to use mobile IM to communicate with hotels. Design/methodology/approach A two-stage exploratory sequential mixed-method design, which combines semi-structured interview and policy-capturing method was applied. Findings The findings indicate that customers are more likely to use mobile IM to communicate with hotels for non-urgent matters; before and after a stay; and if customers are accustomed to using mobile IM for work and non-work purposes in daily life. Research limitations/implications This study goes beyond traditional theories to capturing communication-related factors that affect customers’ IM use in a hotel context. Practical implications The findings indicate why hotel managers should avoid relying on IM as the dominant communication channel. Originality/value This is among one of the first studies that explore customers’ communication needs and communication media choice in hotels.

This study aims to integrate the Qur'an and its translation in an instant messaging application. The method used This research uses a mixed method, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods. This study resulted in a product in the form of a chatbot named Quran Live Chat and concluded that there were benefits felt by users in searching for the latest verses and translations belonging to the Ministry of Religion for the 2019 edition of the refinement by using instant messaging applications such as Whatsapp and Telegram. This study recommends that further research be carried out related to the integration of the book of interpretation.

espanolEl uso de Internet y mensajeria instantanea como via de escape ante el malestar puede convertir a los usuarios en vulnerables para el desarrollo de adiccion de Internet y de WhatsApp. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relacion entre el bienestar psicologico y las emociones negativas con el uso problematico de Internet y el impacto negativo de WhatsApp. Participaron 630 universitarios (75,7% mujeres) de entre 18 y 62 anos (M= 21,23), quienes contestaron a la “Escala de uso problematico y generalizado de Internet”, la “Escala de impacto negativo de WhatsApp”, las “Escalas PANAS de afecto positivo y negativo” y la “Escala de bienestar psicologico”. El bienestar psicologico y las emociones negativas correlacionaron y predijeron el uso problematico de Internet y el impacto negativo de WhatsApp. Emociones negativas fue el predictor de mayor peso para el uso problematico de Internet y el impacto negativo de WhatsApp. Las personas que presentan bajo bienestar psicologico y emociones negativas podrian tener una mayor predisposicion a desarrollar un uso problematico de Internet y un mayor impacto negativo de WhatsApp. EnglishThe use of the Internet and instant messaging as an escape from discomfort can make users vulnerable to the development of Internet and WhatsApp addictions. The aim of this research was to analyse the relationship between psychological well-being and negative emotions with problematic Internet use and negative impact of WhatsApp. A total of 630 university students (75.7% female) aged 18-62 years (M= 21.23) participated and answered the Problematic and Pervasive Internet Use Scale, the WhatsApp Negative Impact Scale, the PANAS Positive and Negative Affect Scales, and the Psychological Well-being Scale. Psychological well-being and negative emotions correlated significantly and predicted problematic Internet use and negative impact of WhatsApp. Displaying negative emotions was the strongest predictor for problematic Internet use and the negative impact of WhatsApp. People with low psychological well-being and negative emotions may have a greater predisposition to developing problematic Internet use and suffering a greater negative impact of WhatsApp.

Dieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie setzt sich mit der Frage auseinander, wie wir digitale Medien in der Psychodramatherapie mit Kindern und Jugendlichen wirkungsvoll zum Einsatz bringen können. In Krisenzeiten ist es für uns Menschen besonders wichtig, den Kontakt zueinander aufrechterhalten, einander unterstützen und voneinander lernen zu können. In diesem Beitrag wird ein flexibler Umgang mit den neuen technischen Möglichkeiten gezeigt, die zur Erweiterung der Therapiemethode Psychodrama führen und besonders in der Traumatherapie hilfreich sind.

In a micro-analysis of two cases from the Netherlands, Instant Messaging conversations between birth parents and professional foster parents were studied. The study reveals there are three types of activity in Instant Messaging: aligning dialogues, exhchange of information, and relationship building. Aligning dialogues are the most common. These are aimed at coordinating (daily) matters around the youngster’s situation. Following aligning initiations, the conversations may change into the two other activity types: (background) exchange of information and relationship building. extenuating educational access challenges a specific foster youth and her advocate experienced as result of the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures.

In a micro-analysis of two cases from the Netherlands, Instant Messaging conversations between birth parents and professional foster parents were studied. The study reveals there are three types of activity in Instant Messaging: aligning dialogues, exhchange of information, and relationship building. Aligning dialogues are the most common. These are aimed at coordinating (daily) matters around the youngster’s situation. Following aligning initiations, the conversations may change into the two other activity types: (background) exchange of information and relationship building. extenuating educational access challenges a specific foster youth and her advocate experienced as result of the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures.

Internationally, evidence exists that physicians use instant messaging services for communication tasks in everyday clinical practice However, there are only few data on physicians in Germany in this regard. Therefore, at the initiation of our project “DocTalk-Dialog meets Chatbot: Collaborative Learning and Teaching in the Process of Work”, we conducted a stakeholder survey with an exploratory research approach. The aim was to gain initial insights into use of instant messaging software and attitudes towards data security and advantages and disadvantages before implementing a data-secure in-house messaging platform. N = 70 physicians at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin completed an exploratory questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis. The use of messenger software was not widespread in the sample studied. Physicians most frequently used face-to-face contact for communication. On average, up to ten instant messages were exchanged per day, mainly among colleagues, to answer mutual questions, and to send pictures. With a high awareness of privacy-related restrictions among participating physicians, advantages such as fast and uncomplicated communication were also highlighted. An instant messenger solution that complies with the German data protection guidelines is needed and should be investigated in more detail.

Academic libraries are experiencing significant changes and making efforts to deliver their service in the digital environment. Libraries are transforming from being places for reading to extensions of the classroom and learning spaces. Due to the globalized digital environment and intense competition, libraries are trying to improve their service quality through various evaluations. As reference service is crucial to users, this study explores user satisfaction towards the reference service through WhatsApp, a social media instant messenger, at a major university in Hong Kong and discusses the correlation between the satisfaction rating and three variables. Suggestions and recommendations are raised for future improvements. The study also sheds light on the usage of reference services through instant messaging in other academic libraries.

Online learning for K-12 is the fastest growing segment of education. Advantages include access to courses for college and career readiness; world languages; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including electives that might otherwise be unavailable to students. However, K-12 students increasingly miss valuable interactions present in face-to-face classes and, as such, engaging students in online courses can be difficult. For this reason, teachers in an online setting must be flexible and creative and find approaches to make the online classroom feel more like a face-to-face classroom. This would include finding ways to decrease the cognitive and emotional distance often associated with not seeing a teacher or fellow students. It also presents the case of school leadership need for exercising caution while implementing school policy to encourage appropriate social media behaviors.

Background Burnout affects all physicians, including dermatologists. Long working hours, high workload, and work-related activities outside working hours are common risk factors for burnout that disrupt the work-life balance. This study aimed to evaluate dermatologists' approach to online consultation requests via social media (SM) and instant messaging services (IMS), the psychological effects of these consultations on dermatologists, and their relationship with burnout syndrome. Materials and methods A cross-sectional, descriptive research was conducted as an online survey using Google Forms. The survey consisted of 55 items and was sent to dermatologists through a closed Facebook group of the Turkish Society of Dermatology. The burnout levels of dermatologists were evaluated using three subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI): emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal achievement (PA). Results Out of the total 270 participants, 268 (99.3%) participants reported using SM and IMS, whereas 263 (98.1%) received personal consultation requests on these applications. Among all IMS, WhatsApp (n=258, 98.1%) was the most common IMS for online consultation requests. Median (IQR) scores for EE, DP, and PA subscales were 18 (11), 6 (5), and 21 (6), respectively. A positive correlation was observed between the frequency of online consultation requests and MBI-EE subscale scores (r = 0.136; 95% CI, 0.013-0.254; p = 0.026). Fatigue (95.1%), anger (66.6%), and unhappiness (45.2%) were among the most common adverse effects of online consultations on dermatologists. Conclusion Online consultation requests to dermatologists' personal IMS and SM accounts can lead to burnout. The current study findings raise the awareness of the risks of burnout among dermatologists. There is an implicit need for further research, mobile apps other than frequently used IMS and SM apps, and regulations to avoid problems related to the consequences of online dermatology consultations through IMS and SM.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the dark side of instant messaging from the technological and societal perspectives.Design/methodology/approachWith the help of literature review and different theories, a model has been developed conceptually. Later the model has been validated using statistical method. The authors have used 304 responses from the survey method, and this sample has been used to statistically validate the conceptual model.FindingsThis paper has been able to explicitly investigate and identify how different instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, WeChat in the form of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) are contributing toward increase of mob lynching cases. The paper also highlights the important to have effective and enforceable regulation to regulate instant messaging services to the citizens.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings cannot be generalized as the data is collected from India only. Moreover, the study is cross-sectional in nature. To get the comprehensive results, a longitudinal study needs to be conducted. This study considered seven constructs with one moderator. Having more predictors with other boundary conditions might have increased the explanative power of the model.Practical implicationsInstant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, WeChat and so on are disseminating quick unverified information to the common people. This information sometimes is disseminated in inappropriate and exaggerated forms. This makes the instant messaging (WhatsApp) users' sentiment readily heated in some cases. They take such an action as mob lynching. This study determines the predictors of mob lynching along with the moderator impact of instant messaging in the society.Originality/valueThere are only a few studies those have explored the dark side of instant messaging. The proposed theoretical model is a unique model, which shows the predictors of mob lynching along with the negative consequences of the instant messaging (WhatsApp) in the society. From this perspective, this study can be considered as a unique study.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji tantangan dan hambatan yang dihadapi oleh guru kelas sekolah dasar dalam melaksanakan proses pembelajaran secara jarak jauh serta upaya yang dapat dilakukan oleh guru kelas untuk tetap memenuhi kebutuhan belajar siswa sekolah dasar di tengah pandemi covid-19. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah studi kepustakaan dengan memanfaatkan data sekunder hasil penelitian terdahulu dari artikel-artikel ilmiah yang berkaitan dengan topik yang dikaji. Data dianalisis secara kualitatif dengan mengadopsi model analisis data dari Miles dan Hubermann. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pembelajaran jarak jauh selama masa pandemi covid-19 mengalami berbagai hambatan khususnya jika berbasis pembelajaran daring. Hambatan tersebut berupa ketimpangan teknologi, kompetensi digital, kondisi sosial ekonomi, kesulitan pengawasan dan evaluasi serta beban kerja guru yang bertambah merubah materi menjadi bentuk elektronik. Namun demikian, terdapat beberapa upaya yang dilakukan guru sekolah dasar untuk mengatasi kesulitan belajar peserta didiknya. Secara umum, solusi tersebut dibagi ke dalam dua kelompok besar yaitu secara luring (luar jaringan/offline) dan semi-daring. Secara luring dilakukan dengan kunjungan rumah/ door to door, pembelajaran tatap muka terbatas sesuai jadwal dengan menerapkan protokol kesehatan yang ketat, dan mengambil tugas ke sekolah agar tetap dapat mengontrol kemajuan belajar siswa. Secara semi-daring dapat dilakukan dengan menggunakan aplikasi pesan instan WhatsApp dan penggunaan video pembelajaran tayang tunda.

In recent years, it has come to attention that governments have been doing mass surveillance of personal communications without the consent of the citizens. As a consequence of these revelations, developers have begun releasing new protocols for end-to-end encrypted conversations, extending and making popular the old Off-the-Record protocol. Several new implementations of such end-to-end encrypted messaging protocols have appeared, and commonly used chat applications have been updated with these implementations as well. In this survey, we compare the existing implementations, where most of them implement one of the recent and popular protocols called Signal. We conduct a series of experiments on these implementations to identify which types of security and usability properties each application provides. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the applications have variations of usability and security properties, and none of them are infallible. Finally, the paper gives proposals for improving each application w.r.t. security, privacy, and usability., Comment: 38 pages, 24 figures, 2 tables. Under review for a Journal since Feb.2018

Instant Messaging (IM) has become one of the most ubiquitous communication technologies worldwide. However, why IM has become popular and whether it is different for people with distinct interpersonal interaction characteristics remain unclear. This study attempts to explain the relations between adolescents’ attachment styles and IM use by testing the mediating role of online interpersonal needs. Participants were 2245 adolescents from four Chinese junior high schools. Structural equation modeling results indicated that adolescents with higher attachment anxiety used IM more intensively, while those with higher attachment avoidance had lower levels of IM use intensity. Additionally, these links were mediated by online interpersonal needs that higher anxiously attached adolescents’ more IM use was due to their more online interpersonal needs, and that higher avoidant adolescents’ less IM use was accounted for by their less online interpersonal needs. These findings suggest that psychological needs offer an effective lens for understanding why IM has become popular and how it is different for people with distinct interpersonal interaction characteristics.

Objective To evaluate the reliability of WhatsApp in comparison to the images viewed on a workstation monitor (gold standard) for the identification and interpretation of radiographic images of jaw pathologies. Methods 150 panoramic radiographs were screened for the assessment of jaw pathologies in the workstation monitor. The radiographs were sent to two observers (Observer A and B) via WhatsApp® Messenger which were viewed independently on smartphones. A structured proforma was prepared to evaluate the radiographs for the presence or absence of various radiographic pathological characteristics. Results The reliability of WhatsApp for observers A and B concerning various characteristics like vital structures, pathological fractures, periodontal ligament widening, and root resorption indicated almost perfect agreement (0.8–0.97). The Kappa coefficients for WhatsApp for observers A and B for pre-categorized radiographic impressions were 0.95 and 0.97 which indicated almost perfect agreement. Conclusion WhatsApp based expert teleradiology consultation can be a suitable and effective alternative for radiographic interpretations.

WhatsApp is an instant messaging application for information exchange in real time. It is a medium for communication and interaction among individuals, groups, institutions and business partners. Enormous amount of information is generated by WhatsApp in velocity, volume and variety which can serves as a source for various analyses, prediction and for other purposes. In this paper, dataset was collected from WhatsApp Group Chat, FUDMA ASUU MATTERS (FAM), a chat group of lecturers from Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina state Nigeria. The primary goal is to present detailed analysis of the WhatsApp group chat to ascertain the level of involvement and participation by members in the group. Detailed analysis of fact such as the number of messages sent in different format, the most active date and time as well as the most active user(s) is to be investigated. Text classification method with Python and Jupyter notebook was used. The Python libraries applied include, Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib and Seaborn. The result has shown that the level of participation of members compared to top ten members is by far uneven as only the top ten members accounted for more than half of the cumulative messages sent over a period of fourteen months. The research encourages members to be actively involved instead of allowing few members to dominate the platform. It is better to be an active contributor rather than remaining as a passive onlooker

This paper describes the issue of authorship attribution based on the content of conversations originating from instant messaging software applications. The results presented in the paper refer to the corpus of conversations conducted in Polish. On the basis of a standardised model of the corpus of conversations, stylometric features were extracted, which were divided into four groups: word and message length distributions, character frequencies, tf-idf matrix and features extracted on the basis of turns (conversational features). The vectors of users’ stylometric features were compared in pairs by using Euclidean, cosine and Manhattan metrics. CMC curves were used to analyse the significance of the feature groups and the effectiveness of the metrics for identifying similar speech styles. The best results were obtained by the group of features being the tf-idf matrix compared with the use of cosine distance and the group of features extracted on the basis of turns compared with the use of the Manhattan metric.

espanolLa investigacion tuvo como objetivo analizar los factores que intervienen en la educacion a distancia en tiempo de pandemia en Paraguay. La metodologia empleada es cuantitativa y emplea un estudio de corte instrumental con diseno transversal-descriptivo. Para la recoleccion de informacion se aplico un cuestionario ad hoc, distribuido por medio de Google Form, en el que participaron 1947 personas, todos del ambito educativo de Paraguay desde Educacion Inicial hasta Educacion Superior. Como resultados de la investigacion se obtuvieron que para llevar a cabo la ensenanza a distancia el mayor recurso con el que disponen los docentes son los telefonos moviles con acceso a Internet y casi el 50% tienen una frecuencia de uso diaria. Sobre la formacion en TIC se evidencian que quienes han recibido mayor formacion son los de Educacion Superior, la formacion recibida en Educacion Media y Educacion Escolar Basica es insuficiente y quienes menos han recibido formacion son los de Educacion Infantil. Asimismo, se comprueba que la formacion en TIC permite desarrollar las competencias digitales de los docentes. Para la atencion de los estudiantes durante este periodo de la pandemia los medios mas utilizados son la plataforma educativa del MEC y la Mensajeria Instantanea (WhatsApp). EnglishThe objective of the research was to analyze the factors that intervene in distance education during a pandemic in Paraguay. The methodology used is quantitative and employs an instrumental study with a cross-descriptive design. For the collection of information, an ad hoc questionnaire was applied, distributed through the google form, in which 1947 people participated, all from the educational field of Paraguay from Initial Education to Higher Education. And as a result of the research, the greatest resource available to teachers is mobile phones with Internet access and almost 50% have a frequency of daily use to carry out distance learning. Regarding the ICT training of teachers, it is evident that they have received more training are those of higher education, the training received in middle and basic education is insufficient and those who have received less training are those of early childhood education. Likewise, it is verified that ICT training allows teachers to develop their digital skills. For the attention of students during this period of the pandemic, the most used means are the MEC educational platform and Instant Messaging (WhatsApp).

Research exploring undergraduates’ tool preferences in tertiary mathematics is currently limited. In this paper, we explore the tools mathematics and engineering students use when studying mathematics and the ways undergraduates combine these tools. Results from our survey (N = 628) showed that students in our sample use mostly their notes, the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), other students and textbooks. Mathematics students were found using more online encyclopaedias, the university’s VLE, instant messaging and other students, whereas engineering students reported using more textbooks. By performing a cluster analysis, undergraduates were assigned to five distinct tool-use profiles: the peer-learning group (above average use of other students, instant messaging apps and social media); the online-learning group (above average use of online videos, online encyclopaedias, Wolfram Alpha and the university’s VLE); the blended-learning group (above average use of all the tools at their disposal); the no-users group (below average use of all tools except textbooks); and the selective-learning group (above average use of textbooks, online videos and lecturers). The majority of mathematics students were distributed across the peer-learning, online-learning and blended-learning groups, whereas most of the engineering students were found in the blended-learning, no-users and selective-learning groups.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund und Fragestellung Aktuelle Daten aus der Schweiz zeigen, dass zunehmend auch ältere Personen (65+) Instant-Messaging-Dienste nutzen. Am Beispiel von WhatsApp soll untersucht werden, ob und wie sich die Nutzung von WhatsApp auf unterschiedliche Formen des sozialen Kapitals älterer Menschen auswirkt, und ob die sozioemotionale Selektivitätstheorie auch im digitalen Raum angewendet werden kann. Untersuchungsmethoden Es wurde eine qualitative Studie mit 30 WhatsApp-Nutzer(innen) der Altersgruppe 65+ durchgeführt. Die Befragung fußte auf der Erstellung von egozentrierten Netzwerkkarten und der Durchführung von Interviews anhand eines semistrukturierten Leitfadens. Ergebnisse WhatsApp wird v. a. für die Kommunikation mit nahestehenden Personen genutzt. Die Nutzung von WhatsApp vereinfacht die Beziehungspflege, erhöht die Kontakthäufigkeit und kann zur Intensivierung von Beziehungen führen. Die Nutzung von WhatsApp kann zudem das Zugehörigkeitsgefühl zu Gruppen stärken. Das Medium wird als sehr niederschwellig beschrieben und erlaubt Spontaneität. Diskussion Die sozioemotionale Selektivitätstheorie ist auch im digitalen Raum anwendbar. Via WhatsApp wurden tendenziell positive Inhalte mit emotional bedeutsamen Personen des Netzwerks geteilt. Die Nutzung von WhatsApp erhöht sowohl das „bonding social capital“, da Beziehungen vertieft und verstärkt werden, als auch das „maintaining social capital“, da geografische Distanzen überbrückt werden können.

With the rising influence of technology, students have become heavy users of instant messaging applications. It makes one wonder about students’ motivations in using these applications and their us...

Background Simulation via Instant Messaging - Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) aimed to improve clinicians’ confidence in managing various clinical scenarios during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Five SIMBA sessions were conducted between May and August 2020. Each session included simulation of scenarios and interactive discussion. Participants’ self-reported confidence, acceptance, and relevance of the simulated cases were measured. Results Significant improvement was observed in participants’ self-reported confidence (overall n = 204, pConclusion SIMBA is a novel pedagogical virtual simulation-based learning model that improves clinicians’ confidence in managing conditions across various specialties.

It is well attested that teasing is a vehicle for criticising others which is prototypically accomplished through diminishing, ridiculing or denigrating the target. In this paper, we examine a form of teasing that occurs through elevating others, or what we term “jocular flattery”. Our study focuses on instances of jocular flattery in a context that has largely been neglected, namely, multi-party, instant messaging interaction in (Mandarin) Chinese, thereby also contributing to the growing body of work on teasing across different linguistic and sociocultural contexts. We examine how jocular flattery is interactionally accomplished in multi-party chat groups, focusing, in particular, on what occasions jocular flattery, and how the target and audience respond to it. We suggest that jocular flattery is a vehicle for delivering mild reproaches of the target for “overdone”, “unfulfilled” or “out-of-place” actions, as well as a vehicle for taunting the target for the amusement of the group. However, we also propose that due to the cultural value traditionally placed on denigrating self and elevating other, jocular flattery is also a vehicle for accomplishing interactional rapport in the Chinese sociocultural context.

This project studies the effects of support delays - the prolonged time period since support seekers contact a supporter for support until seekers eventually receive a response. We will propose a model of delayed support and replicate our findings in Study 1, where we found that people who waited longer during delay perceived more rejection, felt more rejected during support receipt, and finally evaluated the delayed support to be worse. In the present study (Study 2), we will replicate and extend such findings by comparing delays' effects in contexts of sharing a negative event (i.e., traditional support condition), sharing a positive event (i.e., capitalization support condition), and sharing non-personal information (i.e., control condition). We will hypothesize effects within the negative disclosure condition and how such effects may or may not change across conditions. Competing sets of hypotheses will be made in advance separately based on Bowlby's attachment theory and Reis's intimacy theory.

Individuals' deception detection ability during either a face-to-face (FtF) interaction or through computer-mediated communication (CMC) was explored under more naturalistic conditions where they were not forewarned that deception may be involved. Participants discussed a social issue either in a room together or by instant messaging from separate rooms. Prior to discussion, some participants were asked to deceive their partner regarding their actual opinion on the issue. Results showed that mode of communication did not influence participants' deception detection accuracy rate, nor their truth bias. Regardless of mode of communication, deceptive participants experienced the same level of physiological arousal as the non-deceivers. In contrast, deceivers reported experiencing higher levels of anxiety but only in the FtF condition. Findings highlight how for different communication modalities, a multitude of interactive factors may influence deception detection.

There is anecdotal evidence of informal telemedicine activity in KwaZulu-Natal (KZ-N), South Africa. Aim: To determine the current extent of telemedicine in district hospitals in KZ-N; the range of clinical activities and technologies used; additional services needed; current knowledge and practice regarding legal, ethical, and regulatory issues; and the need to formalise telemedicine activities. Method: A cross-sectional survey of telemedicine use by 143 doctors working at 22 District hospitals in KZ-N. Results: Most doctors (96%) participated in some form of telemedicine across a spectrum of disciplines, but more than half did not consider their activities to constitute telemedicine. To meet their needs, doctors have started their own informal services with colleagues, using mostly instant messaging and chat groups (WhatsApp). Some doctors indicated the need to formalise these services and establish additional services. Few doctors were aware of the national telemedicine guidelines and the required written informed consent for telemedicine was seldom obtained. This could have serious legal, regulatory, and ethical implications. Conclusions: Practical clinical and technical guidelines and standard operating procedures need to be developed with the active participation of the clinical workforce. These should encourage innovation and greater use of telemedicine, including the use of instant messaging apps.

The new era of hyper-communication has led organizations to increasingly adopt communications technologies such as instant messaging (IM) for better connections and improved work efficiency. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exerted further pressure and many organizations increasingly depend on IM tools to manage remote workers. In this new context, negative workplace impacts of IM seem more plausible, because technology use causes technostress. In this paper, we propose a research model to analyze instant messaging usage effects on individual work performance and well-being by the means of relevant techno-stressors. The model was tested on a sample of 372 employees from Romanian organizations that use instant messaging at work. Econometric analysis relies on the Structural Equation Modelling methodology and uses SPSS AMOS. Our findings suggest that the usage of instant messaging significantly influences on perceived techno-complexity, techno-overload and techno-invasion, which in turn influences, to some extent, both individual work performance and well-being. Dividing the sample according to the type of work (teleworking and office work), we compared the results between these two groups and encountered some significant differences.

The aim of this study is to investigate the teaching strategy to be implemented on teaching English through online learning. The design of the present study is a literature review design. Related studies about strategies on teaching English through online learning were analyzed in order to be described in present study. The findings of this present study show that teaching through Learning Management System (LMS), video conference, instant messaging, and digital game could be beneficial strategies on teaching English through online learning. Each strategy has its own characteristics to be implemented in certain situation of online learning. Teachers could utilize various ICT applications which support the implementation of these strategies.

This study proposes and tests a communication mediation model that examines the potential influence of instant messenger (IM) apps on cognitive biases and political participation among users. Data ...

Introduction Mobile instant messaging could deliver real-time, personalized, interactive smoking cessation support. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is effective in increasing quit attempts and abstinence but is underused. We assessed the feasibility of mobile chat-based intervention combined NRT sampling (NRT-S) on abstinence. Methods In this two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, adult (≥18 years) daily cigarette smokers were proactively recruited from Hong Kong community settings using ‘foot-in-the-door’ approach during December 2017 to March 2018. All participants received brief advice on quitting, 1-week of NRT-S, active referral to smoking cessation services, and were individually randomized (1:1) at baseline. The intervention group received two months of chat-based support via instant messaging. The control group received general smoking cessation text messages. The primary outcome was smoking abstinence validated by exhaled carbon monoxide (

The current network environment is dynamic, open and extensible. In order to better ensure the needs of users, higher requirements are placed on link resource allocation. Based on the research and analysis of the instant communication protocol, this paper studies an intelligent routing evolution algorithm and related fault recovery strategy for the instant communication network. Research on instant messaging intelligent algorithms for routing evolution is mainly based on routing algorithms and artificial intelligence intelligent algorithms. When a link failure occurs in the communication network, the routing algorithm performs route reconstruction and optimization on the entire instant communication network. Considering that there may be evolutionary needs of large-scale routing networks in practical applications, this paper introduces artificial intelligence intelligent algorithms to optimize intelligent algorithms to improve efficiency. A cognitive routing protocol based on MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology is proposed. By using MIMO technology, a lot of gain is brought to the communication link under multiple antennas. These gains correspond to different link types. The protocol realizes cognition through intelligent routing evolution algorithm and predicts the state of the network. Setting the routing life and hello period according to the perceived network status can optimize the performance of the network.

Help-seeking is an essential self-regulatory and metacognitive skill. In the online learning environment, much of the learning is self-directed and there are generally less opportunities to receive help in real time. The uses of email and discussion boards are the most common method of seeking help in these environments. The current study explored students’ perceptions of the use of live chat technology for online academic help-seeking within higher education, with a focus on comparing online and blended learners’ perspectives. Participants were 246 students who were studying psychology online (n = 91) or in blended learning (n = 155) environments. The live chat technology was well received by both groups, especially for its ability to provide instant, real-time, and convenient help. Live chat was particularly well received by online learners, who were more satisfied, felt more cared about by the teaching team, and would be more likely to recommend it to others than blended learners. Further, online learners reported that live chat gave them better access to staff, and felt that this feature was a good approximation for more traditional face-to-face conversations. As an online, synchronous, private help-seeking tool between student and teacher, these findings provide a strong endorsement for the use of live chat in higher education, particularly for online learners.

Smartphone notifications inform users of events to prompt timely engagement. However, there are growing concerns about messaging behaviors in schools because frequent in-class checking and responding may hinder students' learning. This study analyzed a large-scale smartphone usage dataset collected from 81 first-year college students for 14 weeks. We quantified notification arrival and checking patterns in classrooms and analyzed how notification handling behaviors were correlated with students' smartphone usage and academic performance. Our results showed that receiving messages and frequent checking occur during class. Frequent checking behaviors were positively related to longer app usage, while willful neglect of incoming messages was positively related to overall academic performance. Our work demonstrates that problematic behaviors exist related to instant messaging in learning contexts and recommends further study to devise effective intervention mechanisms.

Die häusliche und schulische Lernumgebung von Heranwachsenden ist heute durch digitale Medien (mit-)geprägt. Gegenstand des Beitrags ist die Bearbeitung von Hausaufgaben und die Rolle, welche digitale Medien hierbei spielen. Ein Schwerpunkt liegt in diesem Kontext auf der Nutzung mobiler Instant-Messaging-Angebote – insbesondere spezieller Gruppenchats von Schulklassen, also Klassenchats. Die Autorinnen und Autoren betrachten das Verhältnis zwischen Schule, Familie und digitalen Medien und diskutieren hierfür Zwischenergebnisse aus drei laufenden Forschungsprojekten. Projekt (1) bearbeitet die Frage nach Gelingensbedingungen für eine anregungsreiche, kompetenz- und kindorientierte Gestaltung der digitalen häuslichen Lernumwelt. Inwiefern Klassenchats von Schülerinnen und Schülern eingesetzt werden, um Heteronomie zu bewahren bzw. Autonomie zu gewinnen, steht im Fokus von Projekt (2). Projekt (3) betrachtet Medienhandeln im Umfeld häuslicher Lernaktivitäten und stellt unterschiedliche Rekonstruktionen der Herstellung von Selbst- und Weltverhältnissen als Medienbildung mit Hardware, Repräsentationen sowie Lehr-/Lernmitteln vor. Alle drei Projekte betrachten die Mediennutzung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Blick auf Optimierungsprozesse aus unterschiedlichen Blickwinkeln. Vor allem der Erwerb von Informations- und Recherchekompetenz definiert die Rolle von Alltagsmedien im Lernalltag neu. → alle Artikel der MedienPädagogik 42 (Themenheft «Optimierung in der Medienpädagogik: Forschungsperspektiven im Anschluss an den 27. Kongress der DGfE») im Open Access: https://doi.org/10.21240/mpaed/42.X., +repphzhbib2021F

To describe an innovative interactive e-learning method to disseminate knowledge to larger group of participants over a wide geographical area. The course material included standard training tool “Best Practices in Preterm Care,” hosted on Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging platform. The participants were enrolled in the group created on Telegram by the facilitators and included in-service nurses from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and UAE. They were mentored by 62 facilitators over 10 wk. Content of each module was loaded every week on two specific days. Mentors specified for that week facilitated learning through discussions. There was a live session every week to address any additional queries and to summarize the key messages of the week. Each week ended with weekly assessments through quiz. In this course, 4623 nursing professionals from India and Southeast Asian Region involved in providing neonatal care, participated. There were 9939 posts with an average of 126 posts per day. Majority of the participants felt that the topics were relevant (~95%) and they were comfortable in asking questions and could clarify their doubts (~90%). Majority rated their overall experience as very good to excellent (~98%). Interactive e-learning using the current approach if channelized optimally seems to be acceptable and feasible method to reach wide geographical area. This, however, needs local champions ready to mentor their own health professionals with context-specific guidance.

Objective This study evaluated the validity of self-reported smartphone usage data against objectively-measured smartphone usage data by directly tracking the activities in the participants’ smartphone among Chinese adolescents and young adults in Hong Kong.Methods A total of 187 participants were recruited (mean age 19.4, 71.7% female) between 2017 and 2018. A smartphone usage tracking app was installed on all participants’ smartphone for 7 consecutive days. After the 7-day monitoring period, they completed a selfadministered questionnaire on smartphone usage habits.Results Although the correlation between self-reported and objectively-measured total smartphone usage time was insignificant (ρ=-0.10, p=0.18), in three out of the four usage domains were positively and significantly correlated, namely social network (ρ=0.21, p=0.005), instant messaging (ρ=0.27, p

When the teaching and learning process suddenly changes from classical to distance learning (PJJ), it is necessary to adjust the methods and media with the learning materials. Distance learning has limited learning tools and media that can be used, such as instant messaging applications, video recording and video conferencing. Entrepreneurship courses are taught using video and instant messages and are expected to achieve learner goals, making students have an interest in becoming an entrepreneur after graduation. The use of learning media during PJJ needs to be seen on the level of its influence on learning objectives, therefore it is necessary to see whether there are differences in the level of student entrepreneurial interest based on video and instant messages. There were 128 students who received entrepreneurship courses as the research sample and the t-test method was used to determine whether there was a difference between the two media. The test results show that the level of student interest in entrepreneurship is in the low category and there is no difference in the effect of the use of video and instant messages on student interest in entrepreneurship.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of instant messaging application (IMA) usage for clinical consultation among orthopedic residents in Turkey and to explore their experiences and opinions concerning potential legal problems. METHODS: A questionnaire titled “Instant messaging for consultation among orthopedic surgeons” consisting of 21 questions was applied to orthopedic surgery residents, and the results were analyzed. The questions were designed to obtain information on 4 categories: 1) demographics and professional experience, 2) attitudes on the use of cellular phones, 3) IMA usage for clinical consultation purposes, and 4) problems and comments on smartphone application usage for clinical consultation purposes. The participants who had no experience with a smartphone or IMA usage were excluded at the final analysis. RESULTS: A total of 860 orthopedic residents (849 males [98.7%]; mean age=28.6 years; age range=22–44 years) participated in the survey (participation rate: 97.3%). The distribution of residency years was as follows: 1(st) year, 27%; 2(nd) year, 21.4%; 3(rd) year, 18.4%; 4(th) year, 17.4%; and 5(th) year, 49.9%. The most frequently used IMAs were WhatsApp (99.3%), Facebook Messenger (14.8%), Viber (8%), and Tango (1.3%). The rate of IMA usage for consultation was 95.3%. The most common reasons to prefer IMAs for consultation were being “fast” and “easy,” but only 26.3% of the residents reported that they prefer the use of IMAs because they find them “reliable.” Moreover, 41.7% of the respondents reported that they had an experience of misdiagnosis owing to the use of IMAs; 81.2% of the participants used the personal information of the patients during the consultation; 57.6% of the respondents considered that legal problems may arise because of the use of IMAs during the consultation; and 51.4% believed that an electronic platform, solely for consultation purposes, is required. CONCLUSION: This survey has shown that it is necessary to make some legal regulations regarding the use of IMAs for consultation purposes and to develop applications only for medical consultation purposes. Most of the trainees make decisions using IMAs without a proper examination, putting the patients at the risk of misdiagnosis. Moreover, the confidentiality of the patient’s personal information appears to be in danger when IMAs are used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Diagnostic Study

A comunicação interna vem sendo apontada como uma aliada no fortalecimento das interações, no sentimento de valorização, bem como no engajamento dos colaboradores com as metas e objetivos organizacionais. Assim sendo, este estudo busca analisar a prática da comunicação interna em uma determinada instituição de ensino superior, a fim de mapear as preferências dos funcionários em relação aos canais e conteúdos. Para tanto, foi utilizado o estudo de caso, por meio de uma abordagem predominantemente qualitativa. Concluiu-se que o e-mail é o canal mais utilizado; e que as mídias sociais e os aplicativos de mensagens instantâneas não têm uma boa aceitabilidade, enquanto a comunicação face a face é bem aceita pelos colaboradores. Em relação aos conteúdos, foi apontado o interesse pela divulgação de decisões da gestão, do Conselho Superior, planejamento e assuntos relacionados à gestão de pessoas. Assim, os resultados desta pesquisa pretendem ser uma fonte de assessoramento para que gestores públicos educacionais possam avaliar, definir ou redefinir suas ações de comunicação interna, como também visa ajudá-los a fortalecerem suas interações e relacionamentos com seus públicos estratégicos; e, consequentemente, refletirem de forma positiva na prestação dos serviços ofertados à sociedade.