An Evaluation of Nigerian Online Communication Practices on Social Media: A Comparative Study of Facebook and WhatsApp
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Background of the study
Nigeria’s digital landscape has witnessed a rapid transformation in online communication practices, with social media platforms playing a pivotal role. Facebook and WhatsApp are two of the most influential platforms that have reshaped interpersonal communication, information dissemination, and social interaction in Nigeria (Ibrahim, 2023). While Facebook provides a forum for long‐form discussions, community building, and public debates, WhatsApp is predominantly used for private messaging and group conversations. This divergence in functionality leads to distinct communication practices. Users on Facebook often engage in elaborated comment threads, sharing multimedia content and opinions, whereas WhatsApp supports real‑time messaging with brevity and immediacy. The study examines how these differences in platform affordances influence language use, stylistic choices, and interaction patterns among Nigerian netizens. It explores the implications of these digital communication practices for social relationships, cultural identity, and information credibility. By comparing the two platforms, this research seeks to understand the dynamic interplay between technology and language. It also considers socio-cultural factors such as age, education, and regional dialects that affect how individuals communicate online (Okafor, 2024). This comprehensive investigation contributes to digital sociolinguistics by documenting evolving online communication practices and highlighting the challenges and opportunities for effective digital interaction in Nigeria (Chukwu, 2023).
Statement of the problem
Despite the ubiquity of social media in Nigeria, there is limited comparative research on the distinct communication practices of Facebook and WhatsApp. Most studies have either focused on a single platform or provided a generalized view of digital communication, overlooking the nuanced differences in language, style, and interaction between public and private digital spaces (Adebayo, 2023). This research gap restricts our understanding of how platform-specific affordances shape communication practices and influence socio-cultural dynamics. Without detailed analysis, the potential implications for language evolution, user behavior, and policy formulation remain underexplored (Ibrahim, 2024).
Objectives of the study
- To evaluate and compare communication practices on Facebook and WhatsApp among Nigerian users.
- To analyze the linguistic and interactional differences driven by platform-specific features.
- To assess the socio-cultural implications of these online communication practices.
Research questions
- How do communication practices differ between Facebook and WhatsApp in Nigeria?
- What role do platform affordances play in shaping these practices?
- How do these differences impact socio-cultural interactions and language use?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it offers a comprehensive comparative evaluation of online communication practices on Facebook and WhatsApp in Nigeria. The findings will enhance our understanding of digital communication dynamics, inform policymakers and educators about emerging linguistic trends, and contribute to the broader field of digital sociolinguistics by revealing how technology influences language and social interaction (Ibrahim, 2023).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study focuses solely on Facebook and WhatsApp communication practices among Nigerian users. It does not consider other social media platforms or offline communication, ensuring a targeted examination of the specified digital phenomena.
Definitions of terms
- Online Communication Practices: Methods and styles of interaction in digital environments.
- Platform Affordances: The functional properties of digital platforms that influence user behavior.
- Sociolinguistics: The study of language in relation to social factors.
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