A recent study conducted by Brigham Young University found that people who lie in digital messages – such as through texting, social media, or instant messaging – take more time to respond, as they make more edits and compose shorter responses than usual.

The lead author for the study entitled “Detecting Deceptive Chat-Based Communication Using Typing Behavior and Message Cues,” Douglas C. Derrick, is an assistant professor of IT Innovation at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

“Digital conversations are a fertile ground for deception because people can easily conceal their identity and their messages often appear credible,” said Tom Meservy, BYU professor of information systems.