Online communication platforms have enabled millions of users to easily
communicate with one another. WhatsApp is one of the most popular
communication platforms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially among
university students. To better understand the effectiveness of WhatsApp, this
research examines the trends and impact of WhatsApp usage among undergraduate
university students in Abu Dhabi. The study also investigates the use of emoji and
text messages as a replacement to the interpersonal communication that
conventionally occurs in the process of face-to-face interaction. By means of a
survey, this study found that Abu Dhabi University students consider WhatsApp to
be an effective interpersonal communication medium. Although
miscommunications often occur while using WhatsApp, the perceptions of the
respondents varied greatly due to their own experiences and feelings regarding
its use.