Theories of Online Communication

Theories of online communication explore how people share and interpret messages on digital platforms. They include the Hyperpersonal Model, which suggests online interactions can be more intimate than face-to-face due to selective self-presentation and faster feedback. Media Richness Theory argues that communication channels vary in their ability to convey nuance—video chats are richer than emails. Social Information Processing Theory states that people develop relationships online over time, despite fewer non-verbal cues. Overall, these theories help us understand how digital environments influence understanding, relationship-building, and social behaviors.