Multi-Channel Topic-Based Mobile Messaging in Personal Relationships

With recent shifts from email to messaging apps for personal communication, many communication partners are no longer able to converse using multiple threads within one platform as they used to via email. Romantic couples are the most frequently messaged contacts on mobile and communicate about a wide range of topics with each other, need to make joint decisions, and may have several roles in relation to each other (e.g., spouse, co-parent). Through a 3-week field study with ten U.S. diverse couples we studied how couples use a messaging app that allows them to compartmentalize their conversations into multiple “channels” around topics of their choice. We detail how couples managed and used channels in daily life, and channels’ strengths and limitations. We found that channels made couples feel more organized, and helped with finding content and keeping track of topics. However, it was sometimes difficult to choose or navigate channels. We discuss perceived impacts of channels on relationships (e.g., topic-switching during conflicts), and outline design opportunities for messaging apps.