Tracking private WhatsApp discourse about COVID-19: A longitudinal infodemiology study in Singapore
Abstract
Background
Worldwide, social media traffic increased following the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Although the spread of COVID-19 content has been described for several social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook), little is known about how content is spread via private messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
Objective
In this study, we documented: (i) how WhatsApp is used to transmit COVID-19 content; (ii) the characteristics of WhatsApp users based on their usage patterns; and (iii) how usage patterns link to well-being.
Methods
We used the experience sampling method to track day-to-day WhatsApp usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. For one week, participants reported each day the extent to which they had received, forwarded, or discussed COVID-19 content. The final dataset comprised 924 data points collected from 151 participants.
Results
During the week-long monitoring, most participants (143/151, 95%) reported at least one COVID-19-related use of WhatsApp. When a taxonomy was generated based on usage patterns, 1 in 10 participants (21/151, 14%) were found to have received and shared a high volume of forwarded COVID-19 content – akin to ‘super spreaders’ identified on other social media platforms. Finally, those who engaged with more COVID-19 content in their personal chats were more likely to report having COVID-19 thoughts throughout the day.
Conclusions
These findings provide a rare window into discourse on private messenger platforms. In turn, this can inform risk communication strategies during the pandemic.
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