Managing Communication Boundaries: A Lecturer’s Approach to Privacy and Professionalism on Discord

Abstract

Digital transformation in higher education has reshaped how lecturers and students communicate, shifting from classroom-based interactions to more fluid online spaces. Discord, originally used by gaming communities, now functions as an alternative academic environment that integrates coordination, discussion, and social interaction. This study aims to understand how a lecturer manages the boundary between professional and personal domains when interacting with students via Discord, and the reasons behind these practices. The study employs an interpretive paradigm with a single-case study design. Data were collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation of digital conversations on the Discord server “KEWIRAUSAHAAN – A MOR.” The analysis was conducted using interpretive thematic procedures with Communication Privacy Management theory as the conceptual lens. Five main themes were identified. First, the structure and division of Discord channels create an organized system for academic communication. Second, professional–personal boundaries are managed through spatial, temporal, and interactional norms. Third, privacy is understood as control over access and the rhythm of communication. Fourth, adaptation to Generation Z characteristics shapes a more flexible communication style without loss of authority. Fifth, digital professionalism is reflected in consistent values of integrity and responsibility across interactional contexts. This study affirms that academic communication practices on Discord center on boundary maintenance. Boundaries function as a means for lecturers to organize relational dynamics, protect personal space, and sustain professionalism within an increasingly open digital ecosystem.