Instant messaging became wildly popular around 1996 and spread even more with
AOL in 1997. The concept behind IM is that it is a way of quick communication between two people due to tools such as knowing when messages are seen or knowing when others are online. Many
social media sites have integrated IM into their sites as ways to spread communication. Many social media sites have direct message or
Private message. Called either PM or DM, where you can privately text one another from your social media account. Much different from
Chat rooms. Chat rooms are messages to a group of people. Chat rooms are often public, meaning that you are able to send a message and anyone can freely join the “room” and view the message as well as respond. == In-person communication ==