A content item is sent for display on client devices of users of an online system. Information indicating that a first user is currently viewing the content item is received from a client device. A second user connected to the first user is identified. The second user is performing a user interaction with the content item while the first user is currently viewing the content item. An emotion associated with the user interaction is determined. A widget identifying the second user and the emotion is sent for display to the client device. The widget is configured to move across the content item displayed on the client device while the first user is currently viewing the content item. Responsive to receiving from the client device a user interaction with the widget, information is sent for display indicating the second user in a field for receiving comments by the first user.