What it means when he's active online but won't reply to you

There's no ambiguity here. The green dot or active status means he opened the app. He at least glanced at notifications. Even if he didn't read your full message, he knew something came in. The fact that he kept scrolling instead of tapping back tells you exactly where you land in his moment to moment priorities.

This matters because a lot of people tell themselves he didn't see it yet, or he will reply in a minute. Maybe. But don't build a story on that hope. Work with what you know. He was there. He didn't reply. Now you decide what to do about it.

Your follow-up message should feel like a thought, not a question. Questions create obligation. A thought gives him a way out. If you send "why haven't you replied?" or even just another direct question, you're making him feel cornered. That makes him reply even less.

Instead, send something that stands alone. Share something funny you saw. Mention a plan casually. Make a small observation. Give him permission to jump in without it feeling like he's been sitting on a debt.

One hour of him being active but not replying means very little. People skim apps constantly without engaging. Wait until the next day. If he still hasn't messaged back after seeing the app multiple times, the pattern is real.

Send your light follow-up message once, maybe twice if a few days pass. After that, you stop. You don't send a third message. You don't check if he's been active again. You let him come to you. If he doesn't, you have your answer and you can move on without the back and forth that makes you feel stuck.