The WhatsApp India Story: Inside the Digital Maya Sphere

WhatsApp is used by over half a billion people in India today, posing a challenge to traditional structures of communication. This book examines its spread in the personal and professional lives of Indians and its impact on communication, including its impact on the psycho-social dynamics in India and the need for media regulation. It is the first book to analyze the pervasiveness of WhatsApp and social media apps in different areas of Indian society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

WhatsApp, a widely used social messaging app in India, has garnered over half a billion users across various sectors, including business, corporate, informal, government, education, and personal relationships. This book delves into the rapid expansion of WhatsApp in India and its increasing influence on society. It explores whether this horizontal communication platform poses a challenge to traditional communication structures.

The book examines WhatsApp's penetration into the personal and professional lives of Indians, highlighting the diverse ways in which people utilize the app for social and business interactions. It sheds light on the experiences of individuals living with disabilities and their engagement with WhatsApp. Through a combination of case studies, interviews, surveys, and in-depth research, the book analyzes key aspects of WhatsApp's massive popularity and its profound impact on communication patterns in India.

The book also delves into the psycho-social dynamics influenced by WhatsApp, including the spread of fake news and politically motivated content. It raises concerns about the need for media regulation in the country to address these challenges.

As one of the first books to comprehensively analyze the prevalence of WhatsApp and social media apps in diverse aspects of Indian society, this book appeals to scholars and students specializing in media studies, communication studies, digital media, cultural studies, cyberculture studies, sociology, social policy, and media law. It provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its implications for society.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032574172