The promise and peril of parallel chat in video meetings for work
The promise and peril of parallel chat in video meetings for work
Advait Sarkar,S. Rintel,5 Authors,A. Sellen
TLDR
Whether an individual views parallel chat as a net positive in meetings is subject to the complex interactions between meeting type, personal habits, and intentional group practices, and it is suggested opportunities for tools and practices to capitalise on the strengths of parallel chat and mitigate its weaknesses.
Abstract
We report the opportunities and challenges of parallel chat in work-related video meetings, drawing on a study of Microsoft employees’ remote meeting experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that parallel chat allows groups to communicate flexibly without interrupting the main conversation, coordinate action around shared resources, and also improves inclusivity. On the other hand, parallel chat can also be distracting, overwhelming, and cause information asymmetries. Further, we find that whether an individual views parallel chat as a net positive in meetings is subject to the complex interactions between meeting type, personal habits, and intentional group practices. We suggest opportunities for tools and practices to capitalise on the strengths of parallel chat and mitigate its weaknesses.