Communication Processes in the Digital Age: A Bibliographic Review ()
1. Introduction
Communication processes are fundamental to social well-being in the digital age. These processes help people connect, share ideas, exchange knowledge, and stay informed about what’s happening in the world. They are present in all human interactions, from informal conversations to academic discussions. These processes have become even more important with the advancement of technology, as communication through digital media has become a vital part of our lives.
For Molina Gómez et al. (2015), communication is the primary tool for achieving interaction; communication is a transactional process in which participating members influence and affect each other. In the evolution of humanity, communication has played a fundamental role, allowing human beings to seek, obtain, and share information, which has led to major changes in the way they relate to one another.
On the other hand, Hernández Rosado et al. (2019) point out that communication is an essential tool for social development and civilization. It encompasses a series of processes and information systems ranging from instinct to inspiration, allowing for the exchange of ideas, messages, and feelings between individuals. This establishes a meaningful relationship between the individual and the social context in which they develop. Communication unites people, reinforces the sense of belonging to a community, and nourishes life.
Meanwhile, Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019) point out that it is impossible to propose realistic, transformative, and committed scientific ideas for humanity as a whole without considering the production conditions discovered by global critical thinking (Gortari, 1980; Norris, 2006; Sartre, 2011; Harvey, 2014; Hobsbawm, 2011). By the middle of the second decade of the 21st century, the issue of communication had been affected by profound technological transformations thanks to the invention of digital communication. These innovations have led to innovative destabilizations, as well as changes in the interrelationship between media and communicating subjects.
Therefore, it is necessary to review the hegemonic positivist model and develop critical approaches that dismantle the instrumental, linear, and mechanistic conception of communication thinking (Winkin, 2000; Mattelart, 2014; Martín-Barbero, 2014; Maldonado, 2015). These inventions enable the participation of billions of people in communicative production processes that allow for the effective generation, fabrication, production, and reformulation of information. This makes it possible to formulate realistic, transformative, and committed scientific proposals for the benefit of humanity as a whole.
For their part, Deslandes & de Araujo Mitre (2009), to begin the central theme of our article, refer to the concept of understanding viewed as a communicative process directed toward the production of consensus. Understanding, therefore, refers not to consensus itself or its contents (which may be transitory), but to the disposition and devices used to produce it. Consensus-seeking communication is based on an active and peaceful exchange of information between participants in a given social practice, anchored in rational structures and aimed at the well-being of society.
Therefore, as the authors point out, communication is a fundamental tool for social development and civilization. It establishes a meaningful relationship between individuals and the social context in which they develop, allowing for the exchange of ideas, messages, thoughts, and feelings among them. This tool has allowed human beings to seek, obtain, and share information, connecting and developing relationships, generating dialogue, understanding others, and growing as individuals. Understanding refers to the disposition and devices used to generate consensus among participants in a given social practice, anchored in rational structures. Communication is essential to the evolution of humanity, providing a means for interaction between human beings and the formation of relationships.
Communication processes involve a variety of skills, such as verbal and nonverbal language, empathy, active listening, dialogue, and conflict resolution. These skills are important for effective communication between people. Verbal language refers to the words used to express ideas. These words can be used both to convey information and to share feelings. Nonverbal language refers to gestures, posture, facial expression, tone of voice, and other elements used to communicate ideas. These elements are also essential for effective communication.
Likewise, communication processes are an important part of human life. These processes help people better understand each other, build healthy relationships, and improve their emotional well-being. These skills are essential for effective communication.
On the other hand, García Jiménez (2015) indicates that one of the greatest contributions of communication sciences is likely its ability to bring together the various scientific discourses that have addressed communication phenomena.
This so-called metatheory of communication (a theory of theories) has played an important epistemological role, clarifying the sources of knowledge, providing insights into how to understand reality, and organizing the major interdisciplinary contributions in the field. This has allowed researchers to benefit from a greater understanding of communicative processes and phenomena through a broad and multidisciplinary perspective. The metatheory of communication, therefore, has become a useful framework for addressing problems in a coherent manner, providing tools for the analysis of communicative processes from a holistic perspective. It has also served as a resource for the detailed study of communication from a narrow perspective. This has allowed scholars to gain a greater understanding of communicative processes through a broad and diverse approach.
As explained above, communication processes are based on the theory of communication processes, which maintains that communication occurs through a six-phase exchange process: encoding, transmission, reception, decoding, interpretation, and response. This theory is widely accepted, and it has been shown that communication processes are fundamental to the development of healthy interpersonal relationships and effective communication. Furthermore, the metatheory of communication has played an important role in understanding communication processes and phenomena, offering a useful framework for addressing problems in a coherent manner and providing tools for detailed study from a limited perspective.
According to Crespo (2018), today’s digital reality allows us to manipulate information and, therefore, change the way we communicate. This expands communicative possibilities and determines how media is used (Carrera et al., 2013: p. 539). The most common devices, such as the keyboard, mouse, touchscreens, speakers, microphones, screens, and webcams, allow for the development of more complex interactions and content, such as augmented reality, simulation, and virtual reality. These elements are also fundamental parts of digital art, providing new forms of expression and communication. Digital reality has also changed the way we receive and share information, as it is now possible to interact much more quickly and engage in immediate communication. This has created a new culture of sharing ideas, information, and content without having to wait for a response or publication. This has led users to become more proactive in their search for information, which is reflected in the creation of new content and the modification of existing content. This has also led to greater audience involvement in the communication process and has changed the way information is perceived.
Likewise, according to Prieto Díaz et al. (2011), today’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become fundamental pillars for the advancement of all areas of our lives, from searching for information to sending emails. Education has been no exception, as new and varied possibilities are emerging that open up a world of learning resources. This also provides the ability to access a large number of users in diverse settings, sharing knowledge at the same time.
Modern technology has changed the way information and communication are produced, distributed, and consumed, enabling technological, cultural, and digital research to build new, deeper, and more extensive communication processes. This allows users to have a greater variety in the content they produce, as well as greater ease in creating, producing, and reformulating content. It is evident that the emergence of the Internet has revolutionized communications, enabling the creation of diverse virtual spaces that promote and stimulate people’s communicative action and generate consensus and dialogue in pursuit of their own benefit and well-being.
For Barrios Rubio (2014), 21st-century society finds itself immersed in a world of technological and digital changes that pose new challenges to those involved in the creation, editing, and publication of material through ICT and social media. This has led to a shift in the communications landscape, as well as the content that feeds the media. This new reality makes it essential to incorporate communications professionals and cyberusers as intermediaries between social reality and facts. Therefore, communication research within the field of new technologies is gaining greater importance in the academic environment. The Faculties of Communication should update their professional training programs to prepare their students for information and interaction in the field of new media and technologies.
Serrano (2014) mentions another important aspect to consider is that solidarity is an increasingly important characteristic in communication between people, since the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is changing the world for future generations. This is a historical and epistemological step that has been expected for more than two centuries, since Kant established humanism as a criterion of reason and ethics to guide collective actions and relationships. This idea has been maintained by the heirs of Kant’s critiques of reason and customs, who have worked to clarify and reconstruct the instrumental rationality that affects us today. This has led society to a point where there is greater understanding and solidarity with those who suffer. This new way of thinking helps us have a better understanding of reality and make better decisions to arrive at a fair practice.
On the other hand, at the organizational level, according to Pierini (2019), communication planning seeks to build a collective work logic that allows dialogue between all actors, making visible and contributing to a framework of actions that allows for critical reflection from a communication perspective. It is a practice that ranges from the identification of the organization’s communication problems and needs to the design of communication strategies that allow for connection between the different actors and the target audience; through the formulation of lines of action for communication actions, the analysis of results, and the evaluation of the strategy. The main objective of communication planning is to establish communication relationships with the organization’s internal and external audiences, as well as with the users and potential users of the products and services offered.
Through communication planning, it is possible to improve and optimize organizational performance, providing tools for decision-making and developing diagnostics to evaluate the effectiveness of the communication generated within the institution. Likewise, communication planning processes allow for reflection and analysis of information to construct discourses and messages that allow for building stronger relationships with the organization’s audiences. These communication planning processes allow for monitoring the evolution of the organization, defining communication strategies to adapt to changes in internal and external contexts, and providing solutions consistent with the organization’s mission and objectives.
Society is one of the main objects of study in communication (Arango-Forero, 2013). The relationship between human beings, their capacity to accept or reject communication, and the complexity of this relationship have been essential to the evolution of research in this field. The history of mass communication has documented how the media world relates to the consumer.
On the other hand, the emergence of the internet has brought about a series of changes, paving the way for the exploration of its complex connections with the online world.
In the context of communication, society presents itself as a field of study of great importance. At the same time, human beings are the main actors in the communicative relationship. This relationship is extremely complex, as communication can be accepted or rejected by the participants. Research in mass communication has focused on studying the relationship between the media world and the consumer. The arrival of the internet has posed new challenges for research, as it has allowed for the exploration of the relationships between the online and offline worlds. Society is a dynamic entity, which makes it an increasingly interesting subject of study for communication. This description allows us to pose the following question: What importance do communication processes have in human interaction and the social development of individuals?
2. Methodology
The methodology used involves a bibliographic review with deductive and inductive analysis of scientific articles published in journals belonging to Web databases or Science, ProQuest, and Scielo, with research conducted from 2014 to December 2022, through the analysis of scientific articles. Theories related to communication processes were also reviewed. For this purpose, inductive coding was used, allowing data to be drawn from without a predefined framework. The data were read, patterns were identified, and codes and themes that emerged directly from the information were assigned. Deductive coding was also used; in this case, the researchers employed a theoretical framework with a set of preexisting codes to analyze the data. Five codes were used. A total of 27 articles were reviewed. The inclusion criteria for the studies were applied, referring to the categories: Communication and Technology. Consequently, other categories were excluded.
3. Results
The corresponding databases for each author and topic include Scopus and Web of Science.
The information provided highlights different perspectives on communication and its relationship with information and educational technologies. For example, Molina Gómez et al. (2015) emphasize the importance of communication as a tool for interaction, while Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019) argue that it is necessary to consider the conditions for producing global critical thinking in order to propose realistic scientific ideas committed to humanity. Furthermore, the authors mention the technological transformation that has profoundly affected communication issues in the second decade of the 21st century, and highlight the communicative possibilities that allow for the effective generation, production, production, and reformulation of information thanks to inventions in digital communication (Table 1).
On the other hand, different perspectives on the relationship between information and communication technologies and education are mentioned, with Prieto Díaz et al. (2011) highlighting that ICTs have become fundamental pillars for progress in all areas of life, including education. Likewise, they emphasize the ability of ICTs to provide access to a large number of users in diverse settings and simultaneously share knowledge.
Perspectives on communication at the organizational level are also mentioned, with Pierini (2019) highlighting the importance of communication planning to build a collective work logic and enable dialogue between all stakeholders, while Arango-Forero (2013) emphasizes that society is one of the main objects of study in communication and that the relationship between human beings and the complexity of this relationship are essential for the evolution of research in this field. In summary, the information provided highlights the importance of communication in different contexts and perspectives, as well as the relationship between communication and information technologies and education (Table 1).
In this sense, the importance of considering the current conditions of communication production and digital technologies as tools for mass participation in communication processes is highlighted. Authors such as Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019) and Barrios Rubio (2014) mention technological and digital changes as new challenges in the creation, editing, and publication of materials through ICTs and social media. Furthermore, reference is made to the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in all spheres of life, including education, according to Prieto Díaz et al. (2011).
At the organizational level, Pierini (2019) mentions the importance of communication planning to build a collective work logic that enables dialogue between all stakeholders and makes the organization’s communication needs visible. Likewise, in the field of society, Arango-Forero (2013) highlights the complexity of the relationship between human beings and communication, and how the evolution of research in this field has documented the way in which the world of media relates to the consumer (Table 2).
Finally, the importance of understanding as a communicative process aimed at producing consensus is highlighted, according to Deslandes & de Araujo Mitre (2009). Likewise, García Jiménez (2015) emphasizes the capacity of communication sciences to bring together different scientific discourses that address communicative phenomena.
In short, communication is a transactional process in which participating members influence and affect each other, and its importance has been affected by the current technological and digital transformations in communication. ICTs play a fundamental role in communication in all areas, including education and society. Furthermore, the importance of communication planning in the organizational sphere and understanding as a communicative process aimed at producing consensus are highlighted (Table 3).
Below, the topics of the information provided are quantified according to their classification:
Table 4 shows other findings according to the literature referring to communication processes:
Definition of communication.
Technological transformations and their impact on communication.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) in society.
Consequently, it can be stated that:
Definition of communication: Molina Gómez et al. (2015) define communication as a primary tool for interaction and emphasize that it is a transactional process in which participating members influence and affect each other.
In this category, authors who emphasize the importance of communication as a fundamental tool for human interaction and social development, and civilization stand out. Communication is the primary tool for achieving interaction and is a transactional process in which participating members influence and affect each other. Hernández Rosado et al. (2019) point out that communication is an
Table 1. Author by topic, category, and communication processes database.
Author |
Topic |
Category |
Database |
Molina Gómez et al. (2015) |
Communication as a primary tool |
Communication Process |
N/A |
Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019) |
Critical thinking and digital communication |
Technology and Communication |
N/A |
Winkin (2000) |
Technological transformations in communication |
Technology and Communication |
N/A |
Mattelart (2014) |
Technological transformations in communication |
Technology and Communication |
N/A |
Martín-Barbero (2014) |
Technological transformations in communication |
Technology and Communication |
N/A |
Deslandes & de Araujo Mitre (2009) |
Understanding as a communicative process |
Communication Process |
Scopus, Web of Science |
García Jiménez (2015) |
Contribution of communication sciences |
Communication Theory |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Crespo (2018) |
Digital reality and information manipulation |
Technology and Communication |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Prieto Díaz et al. (2011) |
TICs as fundamental pillars in education |
Technology and Education |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Barrios Rubio (2014) |
Changing the communications landscape |
Technology and Communication |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Serrano (2014) |
Solidarity in communication through ICTs |
Technology and Communication |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Pierini (2019) |
Communication planning in organizations |
Communication in Organizations |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Arango-Forero (2013) |
Evolution of communication research |
Communication Theory |
Scopus, Web of Science |
Note: Own elaboration.
Table 2. Author by communication process topics.
Author |
Topic |
Molina Gómez et al. (2015) |
The importance of communication as a tool for interaction |
Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019) |
The need to consider production conditions to propose transformative scientific ideas |
Winkin (2000); Mattelart (2014); Martín-Barbero (2014); Maldonado (2015) |
Technological transformation and the ability to effectively produce and reformulate information |
Deslandes & de Araujo Mitre (2009) |
Understanding as a communicative process aimed at producing consensus |
García Jiménez (2015) |
The ability of communication sciences to bring together diverse scientific discourses that address communicative phenomena |
Crespo (2018) |
The manipulation of information in today’s digital reality and the expansion of communicative possibilities |
Prieto Díaz et al. (2011) |
The fundamental role of ICTs in progress in all areas of life, including education |
Barrios Rubio (2014) |
Technological and digital changes pose new challenges in the creation, editing, and publication of material through ICTs and social media |
Serrano (2014) |
The importance of solidarity in communication between people due to the use of ICTs |
Pierini (2019) |
Communication planning at the organizational level and the construction of a collective work logic that enables dialogue between all stakeholders |
Arango-Forero (2013) |
The relationship between human beings and the complexity of communication, and its evolution in research. The relationship between mass media and the consumer, and the exploration of the complex connections with the online world due to the emergence of the Internet |
Note: Own elaboration.
Table 3. Number of mentions by communication process classification topics.
Topics by classification |
Mentions |
Communication as a tool for interaction and transactional processes |
2 |
Importance of critical thinking in proposing realistic and transformative scientific ideas |
1 |
Technological transformations and their impact on communication |
4 |
Communication as a process of understanding and consensus |
1 |
Contribution of communication sciences to bringing together different scientific discourses |
1 |
Manipulation of information and changes in the way we communicate in the digital reality |
1 |
Importance of ICTs in education and access to knowledge |
1 |
Changes in the communications and content landscape due to digital technology |
1 |
Importance of solidarity in communication and its relationship with the use of ICTs |
1 |
Communication planning in the organizational sphere |
1 |
Relationship between society and communication, evolution of research in this area |
1 |
Impact of the Internet on mass communication and its complex connections with the online world |
1 |
Note: Prepared by the authors.
Table 4. Another way of considering communication processes.
Other ways |
Definition of communication as a primary tool for interaction (Molina Gómez et al., 2015). |
Communication as a transactional process where members influence and affect each other (Molina Gómez et al., 2015). |
The importance of considering production conditions to propose realistic scientific ideas committed to humanity (Maldonado-Sánchez et al., 2019). |
Technological transformations that affect communication issues, thanks to the invention of digital communication (Maldonado-Sánchez et al., 2019). |
Understanding as a communicative process aimed at producing consensus (Deslandes & de Araujo Mitre, 2009). |
The capacity of communication sciences to bring together different scientific discourses on communication phenomena (García Jiménez, 2015). |
The current digital reality as a way to manipulate information and change the way it is communicated (Crespo, 2018). |
ICTs as fundamental pillars for the advancement of life and education, providing new resources for learning and access to a large number of users (Prieto Díaz et al., 2011). |
21st-century society is immersed in technological and digital changes that pose new challenges for the creation, editing, and publication of material through ICTs and social media (Barrios Rubio, 2014). |
Solidarity as an important characteristic of communication between people and the use of ICTs (Serrano, 2014). |
Communication planning at the organizational level seeks to build a collective work logic that allows for dialogue between all actors, making visible and contributing to a network of actions that enables critical reflection from a communication perspective (Pierini, 2019). |
The relationship between human beings and communication, and how this relationship has been essential to the evolution of research in this field (Arango-Forero, 2013). |
The emergence of the Internet and its complex connections with the online world (Arango-Forero, 2013). |
Note: own elaboration.
essential tool for social development and civilization (Table 4).
Technological Transformations: Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019), Winkin (2000), Mattelart (2014), Martín-Barbero (2014), and Maldonado (2015) agree that technological transformations have profoundly affected the problems of communication and that these inventions enable the participation of billions of people in communicative production processes (Table 4).
This category includes authors who address the influence of technological transformations on the problems of communication. In this sense, the authors mentioned in the text point out that technological inventions have enabled the participation of billions of people in communicative production processes that allow for the effective generation, manufacture, production, and reformulation of information. In other words, technology has transformed the way we communicate and has expanded the possibilities for participation in the production and circulation of information.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): Prieto Díaz et al. (2011) and Barrios Rubio (2014) point out the fundamental role of ICT in all areas of life and the challenges they pose to those dedicated to the creation and editing of content through these technologies (Table 4).
This category includes authors who address the fundamental role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the advancement of all aspects of our lives, from information searches to the creation, editing, and publication of material through ICTs and social networks. Prieto Díaz et al. (2011) point out that today, ICTs have become fundamental pillars for the advancement of all aspects of our lives (Table 4).
Practical applications or recommendations based on the reviewed literature:
Practical applications and recommendations on the intersection of communication, technology, and training, with a focus on real-life implementation:
Interactive Content for Greater Engagement
H5P or Genially: Create interactive infographics, self-correcting quizzes, and gamified micro-lessons.
Example: Transform historical topics into clickable timelines with audio files of testimonials.
Recommendation: Use Edpuzzle to embed questions in videos (e.g., pause a documentary to solve a problem).
Collaborative Tools for Active Learning:
Microsoft Teams/Google Classroom: Create virtual classrooms with thematic channels, automated assignment submission, and real-time feedback.
Miro/Mural: Digital whiteboards for brainstorming, concept maps, and synchronous teamwork.
Practice: Organize debates where students document arguments in Padlet, integrating multimedia (videos, articles).
Inclusive and Accessible Communication
Tools:
Otter.ai: Automatic class transcription for students with hearing difficulties or for review.
Flip: A video diary platform where students respond to prompts with cameras, ideal for shy students or for language practice.
Inclusion: Use tools with text-to-speech support (such as Read&Write) in materials.
Practice: Use Quizlet with AI to generate personalized flashcards based on common mistakes.
Podcasting and Audiovisual Creation
Practical Projects:
Record a podcast on social issues using Anchor.fm (argument development).
Create YouTube/TikTok tutorials explaining scientific concepts (e.g., “Gravity in 60 Seconds”).
Skills: Oral communication, digital editing, and critical thinking when researching topics.
Digital Risk Prevention
Mandatory Training:
Key Recommendations for Implementation:
Technology should serve clear educational objectives, not the other way around.
Training: Short courses on specific tools (Coursera).
Tiered approach: Start with 1 - 2 tools and expand based on expertise.
Accessibility: Ensure all solutions comply with WCAG standards (contrast, subtitles, screen reader compatibility).
Continuous assessment: Use digital rubrics (Rubistar) to measure not only knowledge but also digital competence.
These applications bridge communication gaps, empower autonomy, and prepare for complex digital environments.
A critical perspective is also mentioned regarding the digital divide and disinformation, considered a vicious cycle of exclusion and manipulation. The digital divide not only separates those with access to technology from those without. It also deepens inequalities by turning the disconnected into vulnerable targets of disinformation, while the connected face a toxic saturation of false data. This dynamic generates two intertwined crises: Disconnection = Vulnerability to disinformation. Hyperconnection = Disinformation Saturation.
Consequently, the digital divide is not only technical, but a mechanism of power. Those who control information (platforms, governments, elites) define which truths are made visible. Disinformation is the symptom of a system that excludes: while millions lack internet access, others drown in false data. Combating both requires: recognizing the internet as a human right, decolonizing digital knowledge (creating verified local content), and demanding algorithmic transparency.
4. Conclusion
The template is designed so that author affiliations are not repeated each time for Based on the information provided, the relevant findings can be extracted.
First, Molina Gómez et al. (2015) and Hernández Rosado et al. (2019) agree that communication is a fundamental tool for human interaction and social development and civilization. In this sense, communication is viewed as a transactional process in which participating members influence and affect each other, and is an essential tool for social development and civilization.
The importance of communication as a fundamental tool for human interaction and social and civilizational development is highlighted. The aforementioned authors agree that communication is a transactional process in which participating members influence and affect each other, making it an essential tool for social development and civilization.
Second, Maldonado-Sánchez et al. (2019), Winkin (2000), Mattelart (2014), Martín-Barbero (2014), and Maldonado (2015) address the influence of technological transformations on communication issues. These authors highlight how technological inventions have enabled the participation of billions of people in communicative production processes that allow for the effective generation, production, production, and reformulation of information. In other words, technology has transformed the way we communicate and has expanded the possibilities for participation in the production and circulation of information.
The influence of technological transformations on communication issues is highlighted. The authors mentioned in the text point out that technological inventions have enabled the participation of billions of people in communicative production processes that allow for the effective generation, production, production, and reformulation of information.
The importance of studying society and its relationship to communication is highlighted, as is how this relationship is essential for the evolution of research in this field. The importance of communication planning in building a collective work logic that enables dialogue among all stakeholders and contributes to a more integrated social framework is also highlighted.
In short, the authors consulted in the text agree that communication is a fundamental tool for human interaction and social and civilized development, and that technological transformations have profoundly affected the issue of communication. They also highlight the role of ICTs in advancing all aspects of our lives.