Navigating parental engagement in WhatsApp groups: A study of parent-teacher experiences

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Abstract

This study examines how WhatsApp-groups shape parental engagement in education, focusing on elementary school teachers-parents groups. Using theories of parental engagement and digital affordances, we explore how these groups transform traditional educational partnerships. Through in-depth interviews with teachers and parents, the study highlights how WhatsApp's public nature, constant availability, and conversational format both enable and constrain meaningful parental engagement. Findings reveal how digital platforms reshape the involvement-to-engagement continuum, emphasizing the balance between enhanced communication opportunities and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. This research enhances theoretical understanding of parental engagement in digital spaces and offers practical insights for managing technology-mediated educational partnerships.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105074
JournalTeaching and Teacher Education
Volume162
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2025

Keywords

  • Computer-mediated communication
  • Digital communication
  • Parental engagement
  • Teacher-parents interaction
  • WhatsApp groups

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