Why New Media app during the Healthcare Crisis? WhatsApp Based Study

Abstract

WhatsApp is one of the most popular mobile applications providing instant messaging and ease of access. It uses web-based systems to send and receive texts, calls, and videos and even offers video chat. However, during the current healthcare crisis, WhatsApp's role is comparatively more prominent and needs more consideration. In this context, we conducted this research to examine the factors motivating students to rely more on WhatsApp during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the Uses and Gratifications Approach, we adopted a cross-sectional design and gathered data from university students in Islamabad, Pakistan. Findings from n= 302 university-level students affirmed communication (p≥ .000), learning (p≥ .002), Teamwork (p≥ .041), and information sharing (p≥ .000) as the motivating factors behind increased WhatsApp usage (p≥ .011) during the healthcare crisis. Similarly, path analysis results also validated a strong correlation between the variables, further affirming the strength of the proposed conceptual framework. Thus, WhatsApp not only provided ease of communication during Covid-19 but also helped sustain educational activities. Here we recommend more studies to examine other different factors, especially personality factors that can affect one's WhatsApp usage.