A study by Kantar has revealed that WhatsApp usage has been up by 40 percent as the coronavirus pandemic has encapsulated the world. While people are getting gluesd to other digital platforms but it is WhatsApp that has gained by its usage going up, states the data and consulting company.
Meanwhile, the company conducted its study into consumer attitudes, media habits and expectations during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Kantar estimates that for WhatsApp in the early phase of the pandemic usage increases 27 per cent, in mid-phase 41 per cent and countries in the late phase of the pandemic see an increase of 51 per cent. Spain experienced a 76 per cent increase in time spent on WhatsApp.
Overall Facebook usage has increased 37 per cent. China experienced a 58% increase in usage of local social media apps including Wechat and Weibo.
According to a study, there is a crisis in trust. Traditional nationwide news channels (broadcast and newspaper) are the most trusted sources of information with 52 per cent of people identifying them as a ‘trustworthy’ source. Government agency websites are regarded as trustworthy by only 48 per cent of people, suggesting that government measures are not providing citizens around the world with assurances and security.
