Date of Award

4-25-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Rhetoric & Comm Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Scott Johnson

Abstract

The use of Instant Messenger (IM) by American undergraduate students has grown rapidly over the past decade. As a result, IM has come to play an important role in the collegiate experience and daily life of today's undergraduate students. This study explores the effects of IM's growing popularity upon the academic efforts, relationships, and daily living habits of undergraduate students through an analysis of data obtained from surveys and focus groups at a small private university. The research concludes that students perceive IM to be a distraction, decreasing productivity; however, these disadvantages do not affect student IM-use, and IM is seen as increasing student connection.

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