Date of Award

Spring 4-22-2026

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Communication and Digital Studies

Department Chair or Program Director

Zach Whalen

First Advisor

Adria Goldman

Major or Concentration

Communication and Digital Studies

Abstract

This study examines how GIFs, emojis, and photo comments influence users’ sense of belonging within digital communities. Drawing on theories of digital rhetoric and sociocultural relativism, it argues that these visual elements function as rhetorical tools that convey tone, emotion, and shared cultural knowledge. Using a qualitative, survey-based approach, data was collected from 51 participants aged 18–24 about their use, interpretation, and perception of digital texts across social media platforms. Findings indicate that recognition and shared interpretation of digital texts are strongly associated with increased feelings of inclusion, while unfamiliarity can lead to exclusion or confusion. Emojis were found to have more stable, widely understood meanings, whereas GIFs and photo comments were more context-dependent and tied to specific communities. Overall, the study demonstrates that digital texts play a significant role in fostering connection, signaling group membership, and shaping interpersonal dynamics in online spaces.

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