Abstract
WhatsApp with over a billion users has emerged as one of the most popular communication channels for spreading text, audio, and video messages in a timely manner to thousands of people in developing countries. Its ability to broadcast messages to masses in an instance has a unique significance for and application in social activism. This study investigates the factors influencing the youth’s intention to spread the US message using WhatsApp in Ethiopia. Our preliminary findings suggest that the high cost of accessing the Internet, slow speed of mobile Internet data plan, reluctance of students to forward government messages, and a negative image of students about the United States deter youth in Ethiopia from forwarding the US message over WhatsApp. Study findings will inform US embassies in developing countries for crafting strategies to engage with local youth for virally reaching out to masses using mobile apps like WhatsApp.
Recommended Citation
Potnis, Devendra; Demissie, Dawit; Trimmer, Jeni; and Cleek, Jamie, "WhatsApp for Social Activism in Ethiopia? Research in Progress from US Diplomacy Lab" (2018). SAIS 2018 Proceedings. 25.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/sais2018/25
Abstract Only