Examining The Impact of Whatsapp on Family Interactions Among Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z in Urban Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores how WhatsApp influences family interactions among Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z in urban Southwest Nigeria. Guided by Family Communication Patterns Theory and Media Richness Theory, it investigates the role of WhatsApp in promoting emotional closeness, maintaining family contact, and facilitating intergenerational communication. Adopting a quantitative approach, data were collected from 172 respondents through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, chi-square, and ANOVA tests. Findings indicate that emotional closeness and perceived connectedness are significant predictors of family bonding, whereas frequency and duration of WhatsApp use do not significantly affect interactions. Notably, Generation X communicates more with extended family, while communication with parents and siblings remains strong across all generations. The study concludes that WhatsApp enhances meaningful family interactions through its multimedia features and suggests that digital tools can be strategically leveraged to strengthen family cohesion in contemporary African societies.