Channels, Spring 2018

Channels • 2018 • Volume 2 • Number 2 Page 45 “Hello? Are You Still There?” The Impact of Social Media on Self-Disclosure and Reciprocity in Interpersonal Relationships: A Literature Review Clara Costello Communication— Cedarville University Introduction echnological advances have rocked the 21st century world, but no improvement is as revolutionary as improvements within communication methods. The scope in which individuals are able to communicate with people around them is “virtually” limitless. The virtual arena of computer-mediated communication and, more recently, social media has shook the communication sphere to its core. The rise of the smartphone, internet messaging, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have permanently launched conversation methods into the digital age. The minds behind communication theories have studied the way relationships are developed, but the majority of them consider relationship development within the combination of interpersonal context and physical proximity. The goal of this literature review will be to study how social media changes the way relationships are developed, primarily through the lens of reciprocity and self-disclosure between interpersonal partners. T