New media refers to digitally distributed media where users can interact with and participate in media production. The key characteristics of new media are digitality, interactivity, hypertextuality, dispersal, and virtuality. Digitality refers to media being encoded digitally. Interactivity allows two-way communication between users and personalized content. Hypertextuality creates linked networks of information. Dispersal decentralizes media production and distribution. Virtuality generates immersive online spaces for identity and community formation disconnected from physical locations.