What is an example of a communication breakdown online?

A misinterpretation of emotional tone is a prime example of a communication breakdown online due to the lack of nonverbal cues which are typically present in face-to-face interactions. In digital communication—such as emails, messages, or posts—nuances like facial expressions, vocal intonations, and body language are absent, making it easy for messages to be misunderstood. This can lead to confusion about the sender's intentions or feelings, resulting in a breakdown in communication where the receiver may interpret the message differently than intended. Distinctively, emotional tone is often conveyed through elements like punctuation, word choice, and context, which can be easily misread in the absence of those nonverbal signals.