Study of the Use of WhatsApp for Family Communication Among Households in Ibadan

WhatsApp has transformed interpersonal and family communication in Nigerian households, creating new patterns of closeness, information sharing, and conflict that reflect the intersection of mobile technology with existing family communication norms. This study examined the patterns, functions, and interpersonal effects of WhatsApp use for family communication among households in Ibadan, Oyo State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 250 heads of household or primary adults from residential communities across Ibadan North, Ibadan South West, and Ibadan South East LGAs. The questionnaire assessed WhatsApp family group membership, communication frequency, content types shared, perceived effects on family cohesion, and conflict incidents attributable to digital miscommunication. Results showed that 87.6 percent of respondents belonged to at least one family WhatsApp group, with an average of 2.4 family groups per respondent. Sharing of family news and announcements was the most common use (88.3 percent), followed by sharing religious content (71.2 percent) and financial requests (54.4 percent). A majority (62.8 percent) reported that WhatsApp had improved family cohesion, particularly for connecting with relatives in diaspora. However, 34.4 percent reported experiencing conflict or misunderstanding originating from WhatsApp exchanges within the preceding year. Generational differences in communication expectations were identified as a primary conflict trigger. The study recommends family digital communication literacy conversations and suggests researchers and practitioners develop context-specific frameworks for understanding mobile-mediated family dynamics in Nigeria.

Keywords: WhatsApp, family communication, interpersonal communication, Ibadan, mobile messaging