International Internet Day is a celebration of how technology has developed since 1969. Thanks to the internet, we have been able to communicate with people across the world, sharing ideas, thoughts and reflections, which has helped build the world we know today.
However, when communicating with friends, family, peers and more through group chats on platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram, it is important to make sure all members in the chat are comfortable and safe.
When asking yourself how to do this, we want to remind you of these key points that could help:
Ask yourself what the chat is for and who you would like to add?
Creating a group chat can be a fun way to bring people closer together. It is important to know what the purpose of the group chat is. Is it for a social purpose, is it for students to share ideas, or is it a professional work chat for colleagues? Who would you like to include?
This information will determine the people you add to the chat, the purpose of what people can share and the tone of the conversations.
Choose trusted people to be Group Admin
When starting a group chat, choose who you feel would be best to be group admin with you. The size of the group chat will indicate the number of group admins that are needed. We would suggest 2 or 3 group admin per 10 people in the chat.
This helps create boundaries within the chat and allows limited people to alter the group through adding and removing participants from the chat.
Always make sure to get the consent of the people you have in mind to be group admin, before giving them the role. This helps them to create boundaries and decide if they want the role.
Create guidelines for safety
When you start a group, having guidelines reminds and encourages all members to look out for one another and collaborate on forming a safe space. It also helps develop a chat etiquette. Guidelines can include:
-Respect for others
-Be patient with others
-Keep within the context of conversation/group chat
-No spam
-Understanding Silence – people will reply when available
Do not share Numbers
People’s numbers are theirs to provide to others, organisations and establishments as they wish. All members of the group chat should understand that they cannot share other people’s numbers without consent and permission.
This helps you protect each other and prevents spam, viruses and fraud from affecting the group.
Know when to take things offline
Disagreements happen. It can be a tool for conversation where bridges are built, and learning can take place. However, some conversations are better to be held offline between you and the other member rather than involving everyone else.
This helps the conversation by giving you space to breathe and think how you wish to approach the discussion as well as not having other opinions and thoughts interrupting when trying to resolve what has happened between you and the other participant.
Through this approach, it also helps the group maintain harmony and safety among one other by knowing how certain conversations will be approached and navigated.
What if the group chat is negatively impacting me and other students?
If you do have any concerns or feel that a group chat is affecting you negatively, please do not hesitate to contact the Report + Support Team. We are able to guide you to the support available and assist you in deciding what actions you would like to take going forward. For more information, visit our website on Report + Support - Report + Support - University of Greenwich