Various embodiments are provided generally relating to controlling visual effects associated with online presentations. In some embodiments, an online presentation can be provided from a presenter to a plurality of users accessing a user interface displaying the online presentation. In response to providing the online presentations, a background setting of each user can automatically change from a first state to a second state. Furthermore, in response to providing the online presentation, the presenter and each user accessing the user interface can be placed in an active mode of communication which can enable live video communications to be transmitted from the presenter to each of the plurality of users.