Social Media Shenanigans:Group Groanings

Having dealt with the issues that plague our family Whatsapp groups in a previous post, it’s necessary to focus a little on those other Groups. Not work groups because I’m pretty certain most Corporates frown on Whatsapp groups for any business purposes. NO-those other groups, which you cannot put into any particular category but fall squarely within the definition of ‘social’.

Let’s start with my least favourite-the birthday group. Tangerine is turning 13 and your darling pre-teen is invited. What follows is a slew of, ‘Great we can make it”, “We would love to be there” and “Sorry but we are away this weekend Saffron will be soooo disappointed to miss this.” Sigh. Moms and Dads. Please consider using a broadcast for these comms. That way we all don’t have to suffer through the comments and RSVP’s when what we really want is to find the invite with directions and get to a party on time for once.

Close on the heels of the birthday group is the complex/estate/home owners/residents group. There is nothing that can be done to identify the dog that pooped on your green lawn. Grissom and Horatio have long since retired and no-one can analyse the poop to determine if the culprit belongs to those dreaded people in number 13. This is an important group to be notified about water interruptions, electricity outages and any possible crime that might be on the rise in the neighbourhood. All other discussions should be taken up directly with the estate/complex manager. Try an appropriately worded email or request a face-to-face meeting if your issue interferes with your use and enjoyment of your property. The cat that snuck into your room through an open window, the hamster that climbed into your cupboard and started a family and the fact that Unit 21 put out plastic on a non-recycling day is NOT for the group.

Lastly, that religious group that has only good intentions but ends up with 10 Amens after one morning meme. Now if you know me, you know I have no qualms advocating my faith and sharing my beliefs but I draw the line at being included in a prayer group only to be drowning in, not prayer requests, but generic forwarded posts and YouTube links. Stick to the purpose of the group! I feel the need to ask for prayer to be patient except my request would be met with 10 emoji’s and at least 4 links to YouTube videos I will never watch.

Here are some points that all admins and participants need to pay attention to:

Oops wrong group (blushing emoji), message deleted

Please check that you are posting in the correct group. We have all done it. In a rushed moment, we posted something on the wrong group. But after you have done it once, you should become hyper-aware of what you are doing and DON’T do it again!

Please support my new business

NO! Stop self-promotion in a group that was created for a different purpose. It is just uncouth. Rather use a broadcast to promote your business or initiative. This gives the recipient an opportunity to ignore you, or respond and ask you for more details.

Time limits

One of the first things you should establish on a group is the hours between which you are allowed to post. Just because you found an interesting video at 23H00 of smiling cats walking the tightrope does not mean you should post it. Bear in mind that not everyone on your group can turn their phones off, either for work or other reasons. Your smiling cat video is going to cause great irritation and frustration.

Bad luck chains

I will bet my next slice of lemon meringue pie that nothing bad or good is going to happen to you because you didn’t forwarded a chain message.

My final thoughts on this would be:

· Do leave groups that cause you angst, irritation or frustration

· Do ask for the rules of the group if you have been added after its initial creation

· Do a quick clean-up of groups you have created and delete one’s that are no longer functioning.