Eye contact and video-mediated communication: A review

A relatively new form of human communication, video-conferencing has become more popular as video technology improves and with increasing demands for real-time communication across greater distances. The full effects of video-conferencing on human communication are still being explored. Video-conferencing is presumed to be a somewhat richer form of communication than email and telephone, but not quite as informative as face-to-face communication. This review explores research into the influence of eye contact on communication and how video-conferencing mediates both verbal and non-verbal interactions. Facilitation of eye contact is a challenge that must be addressed so that video-conferencing can approach the rich interactions of face-to-face communication.

► Video-conferencing affects the perception of eye contact, key to human communication.
► Understanding sensitivity to gaze direction can enhance video-conferencing system design.
► Interaction via video-conferencing impacts social constructs such as trust.
► Video systems that enable eye contact yield interactions similar to face-to-face communication.