OFFSTONE JUNE EDITION 2025

41 CONNECTED BUT MISUNDERSTOOD: THE COMMUNICATION CRISIS IN THE DIGITAL AGE By: Dr. Norsimaa Mustaffa, Dr. Kartini Kamaruzzaman, Dr. Safiyyah Ahmad Sabri & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairunneezam Mohd Noor norsimaamustaffa@usim.edu.my The first author is a lecturer in the New Media Communications Programme at the Faculty of Leadership and Management at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). She completed her PhD at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). Her research interests primarily focus on multimedia design, digital cultural heritage, visual communication, new media, and areas that intersect and influence the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage. She also investigates the role of visual communication within digital and multimedia platforms. ABSTRACT Digital communication has revolutionised interaction but also sparked a crisis in meaningful connection. Despite enhanced accessibility, overreliance on virtual platforms fosters miscommunication, emotional detachment, and information overload. This article explores the causes and consequences of this crisis and highlights ethical and spiritual approaches to restoring authentic, purposeful communication in the digital age. Introduction Digital technology has transformed communication, shifting from traditional to digital forms. While enhancing convenience and global connectivity, it has also created a crisis in meaningful interaction. Platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, TikTok, and Zoom enable real-time exchanges, yet message overload and brief, filtered communication often cause