WhatsApp has given its users a lot of freedom in how they can communicate on any type of occasion, however, freedom without rules is often a recipe for disaster. This applies to WhatsApp groups and communities as well, they can only work effectively with some basic etiquette.
Whatsapp groups are very hot at the moment, it's not uncommon to be in 20 groups with an average member count of 120. There is a WhatsApp group to plan every occasion, to raise funds for medical emergencies and funerals or to plan celebrations like weddings and baby showers. Whatsapp groups are not only used to plan occasions or raise funds, but they also serve as the primary mode of communication between family members or between employees and employers. Dealing with huge groups of people via a group chat is a convenient way to share information quickly, however, it could also become overwhelming and result in individuals tuning out messages or leaving the group chat.
To get the most out of WhatsApp group communication, there are a few etiquette rules one needs to observe. Here are some helpful etiquette tips to help you navigate WhatsApp groups.
1. Always Stick to the Purpose of the Group
The are many different reasons for creating a WhatsApp group. For example, the sole purpose could be to help facilitate real-time communication among a group of people. Online group chats aid with coordinating projects, streamlining work, and gathering feedback. It’s a great way to interact with people over long distances.
However, if you deviate from the purpose of the group, this could lead to:
If the chats in the group deviate from the purpose of the group, this could lead to a loss of focus. The members of the group may become distracted and important information related to the group’s purpose may be overlooked. It could also result in members misunderstanding each other or missing critical information which may result in confusion and possible conflict within the group.
Members may lose interest if the conversation continuously strays from the group's purpose. For example, a group was created to help raise funds to repair a local building however, the group is constantly being bombarded with memes and advertisements. This may eventually lead to disinterest and low participation which may ultimately undermine the effectiveness of the group.
- Difficulty in Retrieving Information
When the group chat has numerous discussions and the majority of these discussions aren't related to the group's purpose, this could make it difficult for members to find and retrieve relevant information. This may make it difficult for the group to communicate and collaborate effectively.
There is a lot that can go wrong if you don’t stick to the purpose of a WhatsApp group chat. It’s best to stay focused, communicate effectively, and foster a sense of community among your members.
2. Avoid Having Long One-on-One Conversations
Before you take your conversation to the group chat, pause and ask yourself if that particular conversation is relevant to the whole group chat. If not then consider messaging the person you intended to talk to directly. Receiving a million and one messages may be annoying especially if the conversation isn’t relevant to you.
3. Post Your Message in One Single Chunk of Text
Posting your message as a single chunk of text in a WhatsApp group might not seem like a big deal. But sharing your message as a single chunk of text in a WhatsApp group context has its advantages, for starters:
Sending a message in small chunks could disrupt the flow of information thus making it challenging for group members to follow the content you are sharing. A single chunk of text provides better context. Information that is shared allows members of the group to grasp the full meaning and intent of the message without having to put the pieces of the text together.
It also helps group members locate and review information more efficiently, especially when searching for specific details or announcements.
4. Close the Group Chat When Its Purpose Has Been Served
If the group’s purpose has been fulfilled e.g. the hike is done, the wedding happened or the reunion party took place. The next step is to consider closing the group. Closing a group is a practical decision to make because WhatsApp groups use up resources like storage space for media and messages. Shutting down a group could free up these resources especially if the WhatsApp group tended to extensively share media.
5. Do Not Add People to a Group Without Their Consent
Asking for permission or consent is a crucial social skill. It helps with setting boundaries and shows that you respect other’s personal space. It shows you respect their privacy and it also ensures that the individual stays in control of their online interactions. Asking for consent before adding someone to a WhatsApp group, gives them a chance to decide whether they want to join the group or not, thus fostering a more considerate and inclusive online environment.
6. Don’t Spam the Group
If you intend to share things like adverts to products or services, deals or memes then consider setting up a separate account for the same and then consider sending out invites for others to join.
7. Check Your Sources Before You Share Anything. (To Avoid Arguments, Having Heated Opinions or Fear-Mongering)
You don’t want to be branded as the queen or king of misinformation especially in a WhatsApp group. WhatsApp has been the source of a lot of misinformation over the years, in the context of the pandemic, a lot of fake cures on how to treat Corona Virus were shared.
And now with the rise in AI tools, it's becoming tough to distinguish what is real and what is not, like in the case of the pope in an expensive-looking puffy coat. How do you know what to trust and what not to share? Fact Check information with other sources. Even if a message has been forwarded or shared many times that doesn’t make it true. Consider checking trusted news sites to verify the story or see where the story came from.
8. Do Not Use the Group to Air Grievances
As entertaining as some online fights might be, airing grievances in a public forum is not the most appropriate line of action because it could lead to more misunderstandings, escalate tensions, and create a negative environment. Instead of airing grievances in a WhatsApp group, consider reaching out to this individual privately.
9. Do Not Post in the Group During Odd Hours of the Night
Not having a specific time to message the group, could be counter-productive. For instance, late-night posts may make it hard for the members of the group to distinguish between what is important and what is a piece of routine information.
Sharing information at odd hours of the night might interfere with someone’s personal time. It might also interfere with someone’s work-life balance if the Whatsapp group sharing information is that of your place of work.
10. Excuse Yourself Before You Leave
Imagine checking your work WhatsApp group and seeing your boss, HR, and work bestie have all left the WhatsApp group. No explanations, no goodbye texts, nothing. A thought crosses your mind, what if the company has gone bankrupt, and instead of sharing this information with you, your employers and supervisors decided to bolt? You start making calls and looking for a new place of work.
Excusing yourself before exiting a WhatsApp group is courteous and gives closure. It also helps the other members of the group to understand your departure. It maintains a respectful tone within the group and reduces any chance of confusion.
Wrapping Up
Running a WhatsApp group can be time-consuming and stressful. If used incorrectly, you might be weakening and not strengthening your relationships within the group. With the right etiquette in place, running a WhatsApp group can be more bearable.
Imou Eparis is an English and Literature graduate and an experienced content writer who loves painting pictures with her words. Away from writing, Imou enjoys having a slice of cake and adventure.
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