What does instant messaging allow users to do?

Instant messaging enables users to transmit text in real-time over the internet, facilitating immediate communication. This feature allows participants in a conversation to send and receive messages nearly instantaneously, which fosters a dynamic and interactive dialogue. Unlike emails, which may take time to be read and responded to, instant messaging promotes a rapid exchange of thoughts, questions, and information.

This immediate nature of communication is what distinguishes instant messaging from other forms of online communication, such as email and social media posts, where responses are often delayed and less direct. Additionally, while some instant messaging platforms might support file sharing, the primary function remains focused on real-time text communication rather than transferring large files or managing bulk emails.