gestures

although IM may be used anonymously - be it for flirting, gossiping or others non-formal chatting - there are still people who use it for 'useful' communication

People might still expect that you have something to share, to ask, or to chat about.

bad grammar, poor punctuation, shorten words and improper abbreviations in academic writing

brainstorm thoughts and develop intelligent chatting.

important literacy in kids' lives,

instant messaging addiction

adoption of more casual and informal communication and culture.

one may say something that he or she later thought is inappropriate.

rumors and gossip via instant messenger in workplaces

mobility of IM caused positively and negatively

self-personalised short-formed words

instant messenger had come to the edge of corporate world and replaced other means of communications.

one building apart.

personal status message tool to compete 'ridiculousness' of messages; and also an excuse for others to post messages to some one else when he or she otherwise would not.

to know what is happening around their friends while for guys in particular they use it to talk to girls whom they shy to do so off-screen.