Brits in 83 group chats, communicate more online than face-to-face

A poll, of 2,000 adults who use social media and are part of online groups, found 36% communicate more with people through these chats than they do in person. More than half (52%) speak to others more through online group messaging than they do phone calls, and 26% opt for chatting in groups rather than one-to-one conversations.

The most common group names include ‘holibobs’, ‘hen huns’ and ‘famalam’, with those who use WhatsApp (86%) being part of 10 groups on average totalling 12 members. Family (66%), friendship groups (55%) and night out planning (30%) are the most common themes on this platform.

The study, conducted by Vodafone, in partnership with Professor of Evolutionary Psychology Robin Dunbar, said: “Maintaining contact with our networks is one of the most important things we can ever do.

“Not just because they are fun to spend time with, but because research shows that having a small, cohesive group of friends and contacts massively improves our mental health and wellbeing – and even our physical health.”

The study found 50% prefer using group chats for ease of sharing pictures and videos, while 56% find it useful to share personal updates. More than half (53%) find it easier to plan things and 29% believe it is more efficient. What’s more, when there is news to be shared, 35% opt for the group chat so everyone can hear it at the same time.

Exactly six in 10 who live apart from loved ones say online chats help them feel more connected, and 43% of those part of a family chat feel it has brought them closer together.

It also emerged 23% have even made a new friend with someone they met through being part of the same group. Exactly half of those polled have a group profile picture which doesn’t include every member, while 37% don’t have one at all. With one in seven resorting to pulling a generic picture from Google to represent their group, according to the OnePoll.com data.

In response to these findings, Vodafone has launched the UK’s biggest photo booth in Potters Field Park in London with TV broadcaster Roman Kemp – to celebrate and capture the networks that make up our nation, captured by celeb photographer, Samir Hussein. The structure is 6.5 times bigger than the average booth and holds up to 30 people at a time.

TV broadcaster and brand ambassador for Vodafone, Roman said: “I know how important it is to stay connected to your online networks, I would be totally lost without my group chats.

“Whether it’s sharing a quick update with the Kemp Clan or coordinating the next game with my five-a-side football team, my online group chats are the way I stay connected.

“Also, as I travel a lot, group chats are the easiest way to communicate with everyone back home, keeping me in the loop no matter where I am.”

Rob Winterschladen, consumer director, Vodafone UK, said: “The nation is made up of these often behind the scenes networks that exist on our phones. Our shared groups are some of the most important parts of our lives, but they are rarely celebrated.

“And whilst we spend time ensuring our social media profile pics show our best selves, our group profile pics are often an afterthought.”