THE average social media user is part of 83 different group chats, according to a study. A poll of 2,000 adults who use social media and are part of online groups found 36 per cent communicate more with people through these chats than they do in person. More than half (52 per cent) speak to others more through online group messaging than they do phone calls, and 26 per cent 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 per cent) being part of 10 groups on average totalling 12 members. Family (66 per cent), friendship groups (55 per cent) and night-out planning (30 per cent) are the most common themes on this platform. The study was conducted by Vodafone in partnership with Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, Robin Dunbar.
He 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 that 50 per cent prefer using group chats for ease of sharing pictures and videos, while 56 per cent find it useful to share personal updates.
More than half (53 per cent) find it easier to plan things and 29 per cent believe it is more efficient. What's more, when there is news to be shared, 35 per .
