The Phenomenon of Miscommunication in Online Conversations in the Digital Era: Causes and Its Impact on Interpersonal Communication

Abstract

The rapid advancement of information and communication technology has fundamentally reshaped human interaction, shifting a substantial portion of interpersonal exchanges from face-to-face settings to digital platforms. While these innovations overcome geographical barriers and accelerate information dissemination, they simultaneously introduce new complexities in the form of miscommunication. This study aims to examine the underlying causes of miscommunication in online interactions and analyze its implications for the quality of interpersonal relationships. Drawing on Media Richness Theory, Social Presence Theory, and empirical findings from recent communication studies, this article identifies that the absence of non-verbal cues, contextual disparities, anonymity, varying levels of digital literacy, and platform-specific characteristics constitute primary sources of misunderstanding. Furthermore, miscommunication manifests in observable impacts: escalation of conflicts, erosion of mutual trust, diminishing emotional intimacy, and alteration of long-established communication norms. This paper concludes that proactive adaptation of communication styles, combined with enhanced digital literacy, is imperative to mitigate misunderstandings and sustain constructive interpersonal relations in an increasingly connected yet fragmented digital landscape.