Student Instant Message Use in a Ubiquitous Computing Environment: Effects of Deficient Self-Regulation

Patterns of instant message software use among 409 college students at a small college with universal computing access were investigated based on dependency concepts using American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV criteria in an effort to identify effects of deficient self-regulation. Responses indicated that effects of deficient self-regulation were present, that instant messaging usurped the role of other socialization tools-including face- to-face communication-for many, and that a substantial amount of time was devoted to using it.