You look at the screen and see a real person. Their eyes, facial expressions, and gestures. Everything feels as real as it gets, yet, it’s still virtual. The 21st century is the age of online life, especially when it has to do with communication. Virtual rooms, platforms like Instacams, video chats; all of these blur the line between reality and simulation. On one hand, they help people obtain the closeness, communication, and attention they need. On the other hand, they keep them glued to their screens, forcing them to sit for hours in front of a computer or smartphone.
Instacams as a format of digital communication
When discussing online communication, the first thing to note is the popular dating services. One of these is Instacams; a platform where every user can find a chat partner and start a videochat in a couple of clicks. There is no need for registration, verification, or filling out a profile. You need to specify your gender (the service’s algorithms automatically match you with chat partners of the opposite gender).
Important: At the time of writing this article, the Instacams platform has over 1 million registered users from more than 100 countries. At any given moment, there might be between 10,000 to 15,000 users online.
Instacams ranks among the top dating services for several reasons:
- Communication with a person of the desired gender: The platform’s algorithms considers users’ preferences regarding gender, increasing the likelihood of finding a suitable chat partner.
- Intuitive interface: It only takes a few taps on the button to turn the screen on your device into a meeting place with a stranger.
- Wide geography: The system has users registered from all continents. A built-in translator is provided for convenience in communication.
This format and speed of operation allow participants in a random chat to alleviate feelings of loneliness quickly. Video provides the opportunity to bring virtual dialogue close to reality. Additionally, the simple controls enable users to remove any questionable character from the screen at any moment.
Instacams can be called a cultural phenomenon of an era where sincerity and real emotions are transmitted in Full-HD format. It’s no surprise that such a platform has a vast number of followers and analogues. Some, such as Teams, focus on group neutral communication and the ability to solve business tasks. Others, like CooMeet – a great alternative to InstaCams, create all the conditions for engaging conversations with girls. This is relevant for users interested in romantic connections. Additionally, Coomeet offers a convenient mobile app and adheres to strict moderation. These conditions have made the service extremely popular; currently, there are over 9 million registered users from 120 countries.
Anonymity and masks: pros and cons of communication without personal context
One of the reasons for the popularity of both Instacams and CooMeet is anonymity. There are no names, biographies, or social roles. Only the camera, the screen, and a few seconds to evaluate the stranger and decide whether to continue the conversation.
The main advantage of anonymity is freedom. The less people know about each other, the easier it is for them to communicate. There are no expectations. No imposed opinions. One can be oneself or choose to wear the mask of someone else. The choice is entirely up to the user.
Interestingly, a study titled “Anonymity and Self-Disclosure on the Internet: A Meta-Analysis” found that anonymous online communication allows users to remain “invisible,” promoting what is known as benign disinhibition; when people openly and sincerely express their feelings, fears, or make efforts to self-express in ways they would not allow themselves to do offline.
The main disadvantage of anonymity in virtual video communication is the lack of responsibility. Each user feels as free as possible, without any stable restrictions. For some, this has a positive effect (greater interest in the chat partner, live communication). For others, it has a negative effect. Having received freedom from real life, people can show their shadow side; aggression, abuse, rudeness, and so on.
Interestingly, according to theCybersmile Foundation, about 55% of users have experienced online bullying, including random video chats.
Anonymity in digital communication is a mask that protects and distances. It is neither good nor bad. This format of communication has become natural for the modern individual and can be adapted to meet the needs of each person.
Anonymity for digital intimacy
Anonymous online communication in videochats will neither replace real dialogue with a person, nor will it provide the warmth of touch or the joy of being close to an interesting chat partner. However, its purpose lies elsewhere. Online video chats offer the feeling of being heard and listened to, as well as the opportunity to express oneself. Sometimes, that is all a person needs.
Platforms like Instacams do not create the feeling of live communication. Instead, they form a new environment for digital interaction, where you can:
- Meet someone from the other side of the world;
- Satisfy your thirst for communication;
- Return to your true self and take off the masks;
- Overcome feelings of loneliness and realise that you can be important to another person (even a stranger);
- Put on a mask and try to be someone new;
- Find a random chat partner to spend a few minutes of your evening with;
- Find true love to face life’s challenges together.
In the end, random chats with anonymous connections allow you to have an enjoyable time. How to use them, whether by pretending or by being sincere, everyone decides for themselves.
Digital intimacy is like the light from a flashlight in complete darkness. It cannot fully dispel the gloom, but it illuminates the path, provides moral support, and helps you move forward; confidently at your own pace, and with your interests. Similarly, digital intimacy will never replace face-to-face communication. However, sometimes, this format of dialogue helps to cope with anxiety and allows you to realise that you are not alone, and that the best is yet to come.