Consider the many forms of media a person engages with on a

daily basis. Within the span of a few moments, one might receive
an urgent email, hear a Billboard-topping song on the radio, and
respond to a text message composed of nothing but emojis.
Media defines communication and can deliver messages through
any number of channels, including text messaging, social media,
and, more recently, video conferencing. For better or worse, media
is altering our interactions and perceptions of the world around us.
Join us as we explore media’s effect on communication.
Video Conferencing
The unprecedented number of employees shifting to remote work in
the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated cloud-based
video conferencing that allows teams to collaborate from the
comfort and safety of their homes. Professionals working from
home are likely all too familiar with one of the more popular video
platforms, such as Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams. Don’t get us
wrong — these platforms are incredible tools allowing professionals
to collaborate with team members they may have never met before,
but are they a substitute for in-person interactions?
Not according to The New York Times. They report that disruptions
during video conferences such as blurring, jerkiness, and out-of-
sync audio can lead to feelings of anxiety, isolation, and — the
scourge of college students — burnout. Over time, the strain of
making sense of chaos takes its toll. Humans are attuned to
reading facial expressions, especially the minute muscle
contractions that allow us to pick up on emotions. Communicating
through video conferencing alters our perceptions, preventing us
from engaging in facial mimicry and empathizing with others. The
self-consciousness that can often arise during video calls can also
distract from key communication signals, as we tend to spend more
time staring at ourselves than anyone on the call.
Text Messaging
Texting has become the gold standard of communication, as text
message chimes have become an overwhelming substitute for
anxiety-inducing telephone rings. It’s easy to see why. A single-
word text can sometimes effortlessly convey a message. Imagine
the sheer number of text conversations that have been punctuated
with just an “lol.”
Text messages could be doing more harm than good, however.
Reducing interactions to a few choice words on a screen can lead
to misunderstandings and curtailed conversations. Engaging in a
text conversation doesn’t require us to make eye contact or
consider another person’s thoughts and feelings. Essentially,
texting is lazy. Writing a letter, sending an email, making a phone
call, or meeting someone all require far more effort, and when
communication demands little to no effort, relationships can suffer.
This isn’t to say that texting isn’t convenient or that it’s somehow
killing language. Research has shown that texting can improve
children’s phonological awareness and reading skills. However,
consideration should be given to how we communicate with people
outside of a string of text messages. Notifying someone you’re late
via text, though considerate, could come off as rude if you don’t
bring it up in conversation.
Emojis and Emoticons
Emojis and emoticons are visual forms of communication that have
spread to our text messages, emails, and social media posts, which
only makes sense: Images are a universal language. By
referencing the intended emotion conveyed by a message, emojis
and emoticons allow people to provide nuance to their
communication that is normally lost outside of face-to-face
interactions.
Emojis and emoticons are not without their drawbacks, however.
They can carry different connotations across cultures, and like text
messages, they can fail to convey a message’s intended meaning.
Not to worry, though. A confusing string of emojis won’t lead to any
serious consequences — that is, unless it’s seen by an attorney. A
review of American and European legal cases found that emojis are
considered “the first step in non-verbal digital literacy with potential
evidentiary legitimacy to humanize and give contour to
interpersonal communications.” This is further proof that media,
regardless of the form it takes, has an incredible impact on how we
interact with one another.
Social Media
The vast majority of Americans have adopted social media,
with about 72% of U.S. adults using online platforms like Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Grabbing our phones and
scrolling through feeds has become a part of our daily routine.
Uploading a picture or liking a post is a way to engage with our
community and reach friends and family, regardless of their
physical distance.
There’s a prevailing concern that social media leads to social
displacement: the idea that time spent online takes away from time
spent socializing. A study on social media habits, however, found
that participants spent the same amount of time socializing whether
or not they abstained from social media. We tend to interact with
our loved ones through many modalities, including the forms of
media mentioned above. There are certainly reasons to be
concerned about social media, not the least of which is lack of
privacy, but it has yet to stop us from communicating.

Master the Many Forms of Media

Far more than a momentary distraction, the many forms of media
that surround us are changing the way we perceive and interact
with one another. Professionals who are able to communicate and
collaborate across media platforms are invaluable in practically any
industry, which is why The University of Texas Permian Basin
offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
Our online BA in communication program takes an in-depth look at
the theories of communication and how they can be applied in
everyday life, especially in professional settings where success
often hinges on effective messaging. Through its exploration of
crisis, interpersonal, and oral communication, our program can
prepare you for numerous positions associated with
communication, such as public relations professional, social media
manager, or media specialist. Thanks to our program’s entirely
online and asynchronous format, you can continue working in your
current position while pursuing your degree. Join our online
program to develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate
challenging workplace situations and facilitate workplace harmony.
Ready to become a UT Permian Basin Falcon? Apply now to our
online BA in communication program to accelerate your career and
become a more effective communicator.