Method for automatically setting chat status based on user activity in local environment

A method implemented in hardware for managing user chat status values in an instant messaging application, wherein a user chat status value indicates the availability of a user to participate in an instant messaging session, the method comprising:

• allowing a user to select one or more priority telephone numbers that are screened for activity;
• automatically detecting user activity and/or user inactivity external to an instant messaging application, wherein automatically detecting user activity and/or user inactivity external to an instant messaging application comprises automatically determining user activity and/or user inactivity based on telephone line activity;
• automatically screening caller ID information associated with an incoming telephone call with respect to the one or more priority telephone numbers;
• and
• automatically setting a user chat status value within the instant messaging application based on the detected user activity and/or the detected user inactivity, wherein automatically setting a user chat status value within the instant messaging application based on the detected user activity and/or the detected user inactivity, comprises automatically setting a chat status based on telephone line activity only if the caller ID information associated with the incoming telephone call matches a priority telephone number.