Years ago, watching a trailer for the then-upcoming film Juno I heard a character yell “Honest to blog?!” and it stopped me short. I hated what I had just heard. The inflection, the delivery, the bizarre combination of words that no real human would ever use.

It was as if some writer somewhere, well outside the world of teens and digital communication was trying to imitate both. And failing hard on both accounts. You could almost feel the contempt for the idea that ‘kids these days’ were talking through text rather than over the phone.

Contempt for technology is hardly new. Every new idea makes Luddites out of those still toeing the water of the last idea. And yet, embracing tech crosses generation barriers.

If communicating in the digital age troubles you, read on to understand why and what you can do about it.

Vaulting Digital Communication Barriers

First, let’s start with some grounding. The poor communication problem didn’t begin with digital, it’s been an issue since two people attempted to transmit an idea.

Studies going back decades reflect on how much listening and understood language matter. Written communication, devoid of physical tells (which people think they are experts on) is more difficult.

On top of that, assumed backgrounds and shared goals come into play.

Communication, to put it simply, works best when everyone buys into the medium, the message, and the speakers. All communication has barriers but digital forms bring in three new issues.

The following six barriers encompass the problem. Fear not, there are also solutions.

1. The Emotional Barrier

In a face to face conversation, an overly emotional display makes a listener uneasy. A too earnest or broad reaction sends up warnings signs of emotional manipulation.

In digital communication, emotional ploys work beyond any logic or facts. The reason being that without a face to focus on and see the emotional turmoil, or faux turmoil, we project the emotions into our own situations.

We are better at empathizing with ourselves than others. So, presented with no other, we absorb the message personally.

Until we don’t.

If emotional message conflicts with a central experience, we reject the conflict and everything that comes with it. While emotional communication draws us in quickly and without prejudice, once a prejudice is found its bad.

We don’t just reject a part of the message. We toss out the whole thing and become hardened to the speaker and future messages.

Overcome!

To avoid the emotional barrier, keep your communication level. Adding in personal touches is fine but be aware of how you would view the message if it came from not-you.

In general, use the same emotional intelligence you employ in dealing with a spouse, a child, or a friend asking for money. Evaluate the merit of the communication and don’t get bogged down in the connection.

2. The Credibility Barrier

We base a lot of our communication on perceptions of credibility and hierarchy. The more important the person conveying the message, the more seriously we take the information.

In the digital world, the source of the information creates a level of credibility. An e-mail has more weight than an IM.

A Tweet gets frowned upon. A Tumblr post pretty much begs you to do the opposite of whatever is expressed.

Overcome!

Match your message with your medium. Announce your credentials up front to catch attention.

Nobody listens to a ‘don’t open this’ email because it sounds a joke. If you are the IT department issuing a critical memo, that joke becomes serious.

3. The Time Barrier

This one affects digital forms more than physical. In the modern age, everyone is expected to be at a device that means they are getting the messages.

Not responding to a message quickly means ignoring, not missing.

With all of the various messages coming in across so many channels, you will develop a natural prioritization. When this fails to meet the expectations of others, conflict arises.

Overcome!

Remember when sending a message, or when receiving one that everyone has only so much attention.

Rate the importance of your messages by channel and by source. Respond accordingly.

4. The Context Barrier

Messages in digital communication often come in pieces. This is a result of the quick ability to send and receive. When it comes to a long message string, it is natural to start picking up on ‘highlights’ and miss vital context clues.

Seeing profound messages in incomplete strings of text is a problem going back through the ages. Take a look at something like Burbank Church Blog – The Perils of Bible Proof Texts. Roughly two-three thousand years and bits of that message still seem to need sorting.

Overcome!

Keep messages in context. If a string has gone on for long enough, restate important parts.

Remember that other people don’t live in your head. Offer further information as needed.

5. The Semantic Barrier

Context affects semantics but semantic barriers go so much deeper. If you have ever seen a fight on FaceBook, you know how this can go.

What words mean matters. Or, as has been said, “If people knew what words meant, words would have meaning.”

In a heated conversation, it is easy to take a word with multiple meanings and chose the wrong one. If you want to be right, the word gets a weak definition. If you want them to be wrong, the word gets a strong definition.

Overcome!

Employ the principle of charity in conversation. Always assume the other person is communicating in good faith and each word is being used in the best possible context.

You still need to restate and confirm, but you won’t lose time to petty behavior.

6. The Attention Barrier

Related to the time pressure barrier, attention has limits. With so many different people able to communicate easily, fluff creeps in.

People will send messages because they can. They will send messages to see themselves talk. They will interrupt your day because they are bored.

Overcome!

When fighting for limited attention in communication, you have to set ground rules. Let people know what time of day you are not available.

On your own end, make certain that you are present to give a response. This is true whether you are telling accounting how to fix an error or a kid where to find the chocolate bars. Coming at the question frustrated leads to mistakes.

Those mistakes cost even more time and attention to correct.

Dive Into More

Remember that the majority of these tips help in all communication. Digital communication comes fast and near-constantly but obeys the same rules.

don’t fear the digital world. It can be hectic but you can always take a step back and work on yourself if need be.