A Study About the WhatsApp Use of Y Generation with the Context of Uses and Gratifications

WhatsApp application which allows sharing of documents, photographs and videos and also provides the users with features like texting, audio and video calling, has become one of the most popular means of communication recently. According to statistical data, as of 2017 1,3 billion people are using WhatsApp. The reason why this application is preferred by so many people, creates a problem scientificially. The study which occurs out of this problem has the aim of explaining and determining WhatsApp use and gratification points of individuals. The theoretical perspective of this study is the approach of uses and gratifications. Y generation is the target for the study mainly because they use technology in all aspects of life and they are the largest generation around the world. In this study qualitative research is used. With the method of purposive sampling a sample is created (10 participants) and then data is collected with comprehensive interviews. After that data was analyzed. As a result, findings are like this: Socializing (social interaction), its being free of charge, practicality, multimedia (convergence), professional needs and entertainment. In the conclusion part of the study, to make the findings which were identified and explained more lasting; it is suggested that the studies to be done should adopt quantitive research in the future