An exploration of the influence that WhatsApp usage has on family relations among young adults: A case of Mamotitlhane village

Abstract

Young adults in South Africa use WhatsApp as a communication tool. WhatsApp popularity has increased because many young people have ported to it. WhatsApp is a communication applications that enable the swift transmission of messages, images, and videos, hence facilitating interpersonal connections. While it has yielded numerous advantages, these advantages have been accompanied by a cost. Individuals allocate an excessive amount of time to engaging in social networking activities, resulting in challenges in maintaining focus on interpersonal , social ,communication skills and academic responsibilities. There is a monumental gap about the disadvantages of extensive use of WhatsApp among young adults, which results in psychological, emotional, social and health effects. The study aimed to describe and ascertain the experiences of young adults regarding their usage of WhatsApp within their family contexts and determine the challenges they encounter daily in Mamotintane Village. The aim of the study was therefore divided into three objectives, which were: To describe the experiences of young adults using WhatsApp in their family contexts; to ascertain WhatsApp usage's influence on young adults and their family relations and to determine the challenges that young adults encounter when using WhatsApp on their daily basis within their family setting The research followed a qualitative research approach , qualitative descriptive designand Atlas. ti. software to analyse the qualitative findings .Twelve (12) participants from the ages of 18 -24 years were selected using purposive sampling. Participants were selected from Mamotintane village in Mankweng. The findings of this study show that WhatsApp influences family relations consisting of loss of family connection and relationship, loss of home guidance and advice and dependency on external others. One of the difficulties young people encounter is social withdrawal, which progresses to a high rate of social isolation. Participants experienced the loss of family culture, whereby WhatsApp usage promoted a culture of individualism. It emerged from the data that the loss of family traditions and values was one challenge faced by young adults in their family setting. WhatsApp has shifted the way young adults are doing things with their families. It has stolen their social interaction with their significant other, and all family norms and values, such as communication and interpersonal skills, have gradually faded. The study also revealed effective strategies to eliminate irregular WhatsApp usage and cope with their challenges: Set boundaries and strict phone rules, WhatsApp education, consistent family gatherings and communications and encourage privacy settings. On the contrary, family meetings foster a sense of autonomy while maintaining family connections and good communication skills.