Social Media Shenanigans: GHASTLY GROUPS

Let’s face it. Big, dramatic discussions took place when they were changing their privacy policies. It has made keeping in touch cheaper and easier. Case in point, I have not yet met my nieces baby Kriya, but I have a screenshot of our video chats for everyday since her birth and she is now a month old! She really looks forward to my calls each day.

Whatsapp. It has been considered one of the world’s premier social media apps.

Groups. Admit it. Or don’t. I will do it for you. It has become one of the biggest irritations in my life. NOT ALL GROUPS. But there is always that ONE Group that you didn’t ask to be added to, but somehow there you are. Where messages flood through at all hours, where the admins have absolutely no control and where you labour over the decision to exit or not. After this blog post, I’m pretty sure I’m going to be removed from some Groups, whether I want to leave or not.

Here are a few basics I thought that everyone could benefit from. These are of course based on my very own encounters but I’m willing to bet my next Grande Butterscotch Latte from Seattle, that I am not the only one!

Admins: Oh wonderful people creating Groups.

· Send a private message to each participant first. State the purpose of your group and ask if that person wants to be added.

· You are responsible for this group. Make the rules. Post the rules. Make sure your members know and stick to it.

· If someone steps out of line, it is your job to reign them back in.

· Do not be offended when someone exits. DO NOT add them back again without asking their permission.

· When the Group has served its purpose, feel free to inform your members and close it up.

· Yes Admin. You. You are accountable. If you cannot take charge, shut that Group down!

Numbers: No man. Just NO.

· So you have been added to a Group. That does not give you the right to go and save individual numbers and start chatting privately. Single people-this is not an opportunity to get the number of the person who didn't want to give your their number. Married people- (oh how I wish I could name names…) I dare you to actually ask the spouse of that person you feel the need to message for their number…….yes, go on. Ask!

· Message the Admin. Say, “Hi Admin, what a lovely surprise. Susie and I went to Sunday school together fifteen years ago. Could you please pass on my number to her.I would love to catch up?” If you get no response, that is your answer.

· Do not share information that is irrelevant, inappropriate and aggravating to participants.

· Look, I could go on about how inappropriate this is but let’s sum it up like this. NO!

Participants:

· Know the purpose of the Group. If it’s not for you, message the admin and say, “ Thanks so much for considering me. I don’t feel this is the right fit for me. I will be exiting.” Do not be afraid to question why you have been added to a Group. As a participant, willingly staying in that Group, it is your responsibility to make sure you keep your nose clean.

· Do not post irrelevant messages. If this is a sporting group nobody wants to know about your spiritual journey. Keep that for your church group. If it’s a prayer group, do not post the latest Woolies specials!

· Stop sending random good morning memes. Just stop!

· If this is a group consisting of people who have never met and don’t know each other, don’t wish one participant happy birthday/happy anniversary/happy world friends day just because you happen to know it’s a special day!! Message them privately. Follow the tips under numbers before you do.

I will be coming back to Whatsapp over the course of this month but for today let’s end off with:

· Do apply common sense

· Do ask the Admin for guidance if you are not sure

· Do behave with integrity and good manners

· Do remember you are accountable for the posts in the Group, whether as Admin or participant.