Like it or not, there’s no denying that the group-chat era is upon us. In recent years, group chats have taken the place of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, both of which have begun to feel less and less like communal spaces for sharing personal updates and more like one big ad. By contrast, the group chat is private, deliberate and much more intimate.
But with any new social environment comes new rules, norms and etiquette. How do we navigate these new digital watering holes?
That depends. For close friends or family in a chat, it’s important to understand the underlying dynamics already at play within the group. “Be aware of all of these symbolic meanings that you’re bringing from your offline world,” says Pamela Rutledge, PhD, director of the Media Psychology Research Center, an independent group of collaborative researchers, and Professor Emerita at Fielding Graduate University. “Why are we so surprised that these things that we do offline have translations online? Just because we’re all on a group chat doesn’t mean we all get along any better than if we were all sitting around a lunch table.”
For chats with what social psychologists refer to as weak ties—for example, the women in your book club or an alumni group—things may feel a little more formal. In those chats, specifically, a guide to etiquette and appropriate behaviour may feel the most useful. And most rewarding. “It’s all these little groups that make us feel more connected,” says Dr. Rutledge. “That’s a very positive thing because feeling like you belong is one of the core drivers of well-being and human behaviour and all those other good things.” So, what are those expectations?
We recently conducted an informal survey of more than 100 readers about all things group chat, including proper etiquette. With our readers’ feedback—as well as input from our editors and, frankly, common sense—we came up with the ten commandments of the group chat. We can’t promise that strict adherence to these rules will result in a completely drama-free chat, but they will at least take some of the guesswork out of what is and isn’t expected in the day-to-day digital conversations that rule our social lives.
Heed with care!
10 group chat rules to live by
1. Thou shalt receive consent before making changes to the chat
Readers were very, very adamant that consent is needed from the group before a new person is added to the chat. The person being added to the chat also needs to give their consent. And if they say no, that’s fine! Some people are just not the group-chat type. It’s nothing to get worked up about.
2. Thou shalt not lurk
Sixty-three per cent of readers polled think lurking is annoying and also kind of creepy. Participate or leave!
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: vogue.in
