  Affordance theory proposes that the use of an object is intrinsically
determined by its physical shape. However, when translated to digital objects,
affordance theory loses explanatory power, as the same physical affordances,
for example, screens, can have many socially constructed meanings and can be
used in many ways. Furthermore, the affordance theory core idea that physical
affordances have intrinsic, pre-cognitive meaning cannot be sustained for the
highly symbolic nature of digital affordances, which gain meaning through
social learning and use. A possible way to solve this issue is to think about
on-screen affordances as symbols and affordance research as a semiotic and
linguistic enterprise.
