Attributes Of Online Communication

ATTRIBUTES OF ONLINE COMMUNICATION 1. Digital: Online communication uses digital media for distribution of messages. The sender can share these digital messages with one or n number of recipients over internet. 2. Interactivity: Online messages are delivered almost instantly and allows the recipient to reply back. So there is a high scope for interactive communication between sender and receiver. Therefore, two way communication exists rather than one way flow of information like in traditional mass communication. 3. Speed: Online communication is the fastest means to interact or share information with others. For instance, a letter may take days to reach the receiver, but an Email or an instant message on WhatsApp can convey the message instantly without any delay. Even the latest news also first comes online and later on is covered by other media. 4. Flexibility: Online media is accessible 24×7 at any place and through any smart device as long as you have an internet connection. Therefore, a user has the convenience of getting involved in discussions or other online activity at their own time. 5. Many to many communication: Traditional mass media like newspapers and television follow a 'one to many' communication model wherein media organisation disseminate messages to their audiences. However, online communication has replaced this model with a 'many to many' model. So, instead of one source sending out information to masses, each and every individual user of online media has the power to share information and respond back. 6. Feedback: Online communication allows users to provide instant feedback to messages received, which was not easily possible in traditional media. So, one way flow of information replaced by two way flow. 7. Levelling: Reserved or shy people who usually don’t speak up can say as much as they like while “loud” people are just another voice and can’t interrupt. This phenomenon helps in democratization of the thoughts, ideas, suggestions and value statements that occurs through anonymity. In theory, all views should be seen as equal, with their merit tested against the logic of the argument. However, practically loud voices often dominate the arguments and logic. But online communication provides equal opportunity for all to put their point. Hence, leading to an egalitarian communication flow. 8. Documented Communication: Unlike verbal communication, online conversations are lasting and can be revisited, saved, taken screenshot of and downloaded.

9. Global reach: We can interact with people all across the world with just a click of a button. Online communication tools have shortened distances between people allowing them to interact anytime and anywhere. Its global reach has also become a tool for social movement, raising awareness, campaign promotion and lets people form online communities. It has also provided people with an opportunity to even influence the west. 10. User generated content: Online platforms like social media, blogs, YouTube and websites have made it possible for people to create content and post it online. This flexibility of online communication has democratized the communication process. But on the other hand it has also raised the issue of credibility, privacy, civility and copyright violation as there's no gatekeeping and people can directly post anything online. 11. Multimedia usage: Along with text conversation, online communication facilitates messages in form of images, videos, animations and sound. 12. Cost effectiveness: Once internet service is subscribed, online communication turns out to be much more cost effective than other forms of communication. For instance, it is much cheaper to publish news and articles online as compared to producing a print hard copy. Similarly, conversing online or exchanging media over internet with others through emails, social sites and instant messengers becomes more cost effective. 13. Convenience: Users can communicate and share information online while sitting at the convenience of home easily. Video-conferencing lets people to conduct meetings without the need of being physically present together. This convenience makes life easier for users. Concept of working from home and freelancing has also been facilitated immensely by online communication. 14. Asynchronicity: Earlier, especially in traditional mass communication, audience members had to attend the same message at the same time because of a fixed schedule. However, this is no longer the case as the audience can choose when, where and how to attend to a message using the internet on news websites and podcasts. Similarly, while communicating online, people have the flexibility of receiving and reverting to a message at their own convenient time. There is no necessity of being online at the same time. 15. Relevance: Online communication provides a place for exchange of real life examples and experiences. Option to stay anonymous while participating in online discussions in forums has clearly set people free when talking about deeply personal issues. The stories that emerge are usually detailed, compelling, emotionally rich and very real.

16. Unpredictable and limitless: One can never predict where an online discussion will go and the unexpected often results in incidental learning. This holds true for online community engagement as well as for online classroom learning. Many a times organisations find themselves surprised by the issues that their community is actually concerned about rather than the issues they believed their community should or would be concerned about. So online engagement often turns out to be a good reality check.