Twenty-four Hour Seduction: WhatsApp Status and the Communicative Force of Fleeting Memory in a Digital Diary

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71016/oms/tv0nwt02

Keywords:

Communication, Digital diary, Internet/Social media, Perception, Nigeria, WhatsApp status

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Keeping a diary is not a strong creative forte for many people. Those who keep one rarely make it public. Diaries, most times, denote secrets and contain unpleasant messages, and are not usually meant for public consumption. The age of internet and social media, especially WhatsApp, has put paid to that. WhatsApp status of many users in Nigeria has taken over the concept of keeping diary, revealing personal secrets and all manners of emotional challenges of individuals and serving as advertising and sales outlets, all within a twenty-four hour time frame.

Methodology: This study adopted the displacement media theory and the key informant interview (KII) research method. The paper studied WhatsApp status of individuals in the authors’ phone contacts randomly selected in order to show how closely this twenty-four hour fleeting information affects perception.

Findings: Findings show that apart from those who use their WhatsApp status for advertising and sundry marketing and publicity, most users were ignorant of likely consequences of their posts beyond self-expression.

Conclusion: The paper concluded that WhatsApp status updates are one of the ways individuals made themselves relevant and busy much like using a diary.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Chukwuma Anyanwu, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

    Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Arts, 

  • Dr. Chikodi Joy Anyanwu, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

    Lecturer, Department of Guidance and Counseling, 

  • Dr. Aghogho Lucky Imiti, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.

    Lecturer, Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Arts, 

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Published

2023-09-30

How to Cite

Anyanwu, C. ., Anyanwu, C. J. ., & Imiti, A. L. . (2023). Twenty-four Hour Seduction: WhatsApp Status and the Communicative Force of Fleeting Memory in a Digital Diary. Online Media and Society, 4(3), 23-35. https://doi.org/10.71016/oms/tv0nwt02