Bangkalan Regency, East Java— Privacy,
Trust, and Digital Boundaries: A Study of Early Adult Romantic Relationships
Mediated by WhatsApp. This research was conducted by Dessy Trisilowaty and
Nurul Ummi Apriliyani from Trunojoyo University Madura, which will be published
in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR) in early
2026.
Research conducted by Dessy
Trisilowaty and Nurul Ummi Apriliyani revealed that digital features such as
last seen, blue ticks, profile photos, and WhatsApp status not only function as
a communication tool, but also become emotional symbols that affect the
dynamics of romantic relationships.
WhatsApp and the Privacy Dilemma in
the Digital Era
Advances
in communication technology have made remote interactions easy and instant. But
behind this convenience, a new dilemma arises: how to maintain a balance
between openness and privacy.
Trisilowaty
and Apriliyani explain that early adult individuals—around the age of 18 to 25
years—are at an important phase in the formation of romantic identities and
relationships. At this stage, the need for emotional validation, attention, and
a sense of security is often high. As a result, digital features that provide
real-time activity information can magnify sensitivity in relationships.
For
example, when someone is seen online but doesn't reply to the message
immediately, your partner could interpret it as a sign of being ignored. On the
other hand, users who turn off certain features may just want to reduce social
pressure or maintain personal space.
This
phenomenon shows that communication technology is not neutral; The meaning that
emerges is always related to social and emotional interpretation.
Methodology:
Hearing Real User Experience
The study
used a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with 10 informants
consisting of four partners and two additional informants. Her main focus is to
understand how early adult individuals manage communication privacy in romantic
relationships through WhatsApp features.
Instead of
measuring statistics, the study traced respondents' subjective experiences: how
they read digital symbols, negotiated privacy boundaries, and dealt with
conflicts that arise from different interpretations.
This
approach allows researchers to look more deeply at relationship dynamics,
including emotions, expectations, and social pressures that are not always seen
in quantitative research.
Key
Findings: Digital Features Become the New "Emotional Language"
Research
has found that WhatsApp features have evolved into complex relational symbols.
Here are some key findings:
Last seen and blue ticks are often
considered indicators of attention and priority in relationships. When messages
are read but not replied to immediately, some respondents feel rejected or
ignored.
Changes to privacy settings such as
disabling blue ticks or hiding activity are often interpreted as a sign of
hiding something, even if it's actually done to maintain personal convenience.
Profile photos and statuses
are emotional signals that couples observe. Small changes can spark speculation
about the state of the relationship.
Digital surveillance such as
checking a partner's online activity can create psychological distress and
increase conflict.
Mutual agreement on privacy proves to
be an important factor in maintaining the stability of the relationship.
According
to the researchers, WhatsApp features now serve as "relational
artifacts"—a communication tool as well as a symbol that shapes
perceptions of intimacy and trust.
The
Paradox of Transparency and Personal Autonomy
One of the
most interesting findings is the existence of a paradox between transparency
and personal freedom. Many couples consider openness to be a sign of trust. But
when transparency becomes an excessive demand—for example, having to always be
online or replying quickly—it turns into a form of relational control.
In the
framework of Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory, this condition is
referred to as "privacy boundary turbulence", which is a conflict
that arises when privacy boundaries are not mutually agreed. Without clear
communication, simple actions such as turning off features can be mistaken for
a sign of dishonesty. Trisilowaty and Apriliyani emphasized that privacy does
not mean hiding something, but a continuous negotiation process between the
need for closeness and personal space.
Impact on
Society and the Digital World
The
results of this study provide important insights for various parties:
1. Young
couples and digital users
The awareness that digital symbols have emotional meaning can help individuals
communicate more openly about expectations and privacy boundaries.
2. Digital
education and literacyThis study shows the importance of education about
digital communication ethics and privacy management, especially for the younger
generation.
3. Technology
developersCommunication platforms can consider designing features that better
support the balance between connectivity and user mental health.
According
to researchers from Trunojoyo University Madura, healthy relationships are not
determined by absolute transparency, but by mutual agreement regarding the
limits of digital communication.
Author
profile
•
Dessy Trisilowaty –
Trunojoyo University Madura.
•
Nurul Ummi Apriliyani –
Trunojoyo University Madura.
Research
source
Trisilowaty, D., & Apriliyani, N.
U. (2026). Privacy, Trust, and Digital Boundaries: A Study of
WhatsApp-Mediated Romantic Relationships Among Emerging Adults.
East Asian
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 537–550.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i2.4
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