Have you ever received a message and thought: “Wait… what did they really mean?”

Maybe it was a joke that didn’t feel like a joke, maybe it was a compliment that sounded strange or maybe it was a message that made you feel uncomfortable, but you couldn’t explain why! Welcome to one of the biggest challenges of the digital world: misunderstanding online communication.

Why Online Communication Is Tricky

When we talk face-to-face, we rely on much more than words. We read:

  • facial expressions
  • tone of voice
  • body language

Online, most of that disappears.

We are left with text, emojis, or short videos and we have to guess the rest.

Even for people without difficulties, this can lead to confusion. But for young people with intellectual disabilities, this challenge can be much bigger (Borg et al., 2015).

When Confusion Becomes Risk

Misunderstanding a message is not just a small inconvenience, it can sometimes become a safety issue.

For example:

  • A joke might hide inappropriate intentions
  • A “friendly” request might actually be pressure
  • A conversation might slowly become uncomfortable without clear warning signs

In some cases, harmful behaviors are not obvious at the beginning. They can start as normal conversations and gradually cross boundaries.

This is why recognizing how something feels, not just what is said, becomes so important (Chadwick, 2022).

The Invisible Signals of the Internet

Online communication has its own “hidden signals.” These can include:

  • Messages that ask for secrecy
  • Someone insisting on moving a conversation to a private platform
  • Repeated requests after a “no”
  • Compliments that quickly become personal or intrusive

These signs are not always easy to identify, especially if someone has not been taught to recognize them.

And this is where education makes a real difference (Chadwick, 2022).

Learning to Pause and Reflect

One of the most powerful skills in the digital world is surprisingly simple: taking a moment before responding.

Asking questions like:

  • “Do I feel comfortable with this message?”
  • “Would I say this in real life?”
  • “Should I talk to someone I trust about this?”

can help turn confusion into awareness.

Supporting Safer Digital Experiences

Helping young people navigate these situations doesn’t mean limiting their access to the internet. It means giving them the tools to:

  • understand unclear situations
  • recognize early warning signs
  • feel confident saying “no”
  • ask for help without fear

This support should come from different directions: educators, youth workers, families, and communities (Borg et al., 2015).

Why This Matters

The internet can be an incredible space for connection, identity, and self-expression. But only if people feel safe and confident while using it.

Misunderstandings might seem small but sometimes they are the first step toward bigger risks.

That’s why learning how to interpret online communication is not just a digital skill.
It’s a life skill.

 

Projects like PR.I.S.C.I.L.L.A, funded by the Erasmus+ programme, are working exactly in this direction, developing inclusive educational tools to help young people with intellectual disabilities better understand online interactions, reduce risks, and build safer digital experiences for everyone.

Because understanding a message shouldn’t feel like guessing, and staying safe online should be something everyone can learn.

 

References

Borg, J., Lantz, A., & Gulliksen, J. (2015). Accessibility to electronic communication for people with cognitive disabilities: A systematic review. Universal Access in the Information Society.

Chadwick, D. (2022). “You want to know that you’re safe”: Experiences of risk, restriction and resilience online among people with an intellectual disability. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace.