WhatsApp for family communication? Now widely used. And usually not just in one chat, but in a variety of groups.
As our cooperation partner Safer Internet reports, it is common practice in many families to clarify all sorts of family matters via WhatsApp.
Although the children are often still too young to to officially use WhatsApp . Sometimes everything takes place in one group, but often in many separate groups.
Types of Family WhatsApp Groups
"Where are you? What’s there to eat?”
Such groups serve to organize the nuclear family . Here, everyday organizational issues that affect the family are clarified briefly and without major formalities. These groups usually include everyone who physically lives together. In patchwork families it is therefore not unusual to belong to several such organizational groups. Participation in this group is usually mandatory for all members - even for those who are otherwise difficult to contact.
“We did that”
Larger family groups - sometimes from different countries - are often represented in these groups Communication here is usually multilingual or primarily through images. It's about keeping each other informed . Pictures of the children or of joint activities and excursions are often posted. Negative messages have no place here - they are transmitted either in other groups or in direct contact.
"I love you!"
Being in contact with each other and sending seemingly irrelevant things to each other can also be seen a sign of closeness and thinking about each other Not only your own content, but also so-called memes or chain letters are shared.
These can be silly or funny – the primary aim is to entertain others. But it can also be pictures of the garden, nature or cars. In some families, photos of food are very important. If you can't eat together, at least let each other share in it virtually.
“Happy birthday, dear aunt!”
Especially in large families, there is often one person who track of all upcoming birthdays . As a rule, she initiates the round of congratulations, and the result is a fire of congratulatory expressions.
“Around pregnancy, building a house or caring for parents”
are often formed that are dedicated to a specific topic : everything from pregnancy tips, building a house, raising children or dealing with those in need of care is discussed here. Organizational questions are clarified and tips from everyday life are shared.
“Memorial groups”
Family members who were very influential for a family are often remembered in their own groups after their death. People often write to each other on special occasions, such as birthdays or the anniversary of their death, but sometimes simply to think together about what the person concerned would have said, thought or done on a certain topic.
“Here we are arguing about politics”
Hardly anything is easier to argue about than politics - even on WhatsApp and certainly within the family. In some families, independent groups are formed so as not to annoy others.
“hater groups”
These groups are used to talk about other people - e.g. B. about the difficult mother-in-law or the headstrong uncle. Of course, these are not part of the group.
“Preparation groups”
Of course, there are also many groups that are only entertaining and primarily serve to prepare joint activities, events, celebrations, etc. In this case, people outside the family are also included.
Dealing with conflicts
There are conflicts in all families. Some are deeper, others are more short-term in nature. Of course, these conflicts also play a role in online communication. Not all family members are equally experienced and experienced in dealing with online communication or give it a different value.
The problem: In families there are rarely impartial arbitrators or mediators who can intervene in the event of such smaller or larger conflicts.
Do not bring children into emotional conflicts
WhatsApp chats pose particular challenges for children's loyalty. The groups are often set up by children because they are quicker than adults. If conflicts arise in the group, the children are forced into a difficult position.
They feel responsible for this because they have ultimately connected the group members with one another. How can they react in such a case now that they have good contact with all the “arguments” in the group? It is important here that the arguing adults involved react competently and do not make the children the pawns of their problems.
It may be advisable to bring conflicts offline and discuss them personally.
WhatsApp is helpful, but not everything
WhatsApp communication within families can be very complex and productive. What is important, however, is that it does not replace face-to-face communication, but can only supplement it. If we get along well with each other (especially in conflict situations), this type of communication can be equally promising for all generations.
With measure and purpose
Too many groups can lead to excessive demands, especially for children. You feel like you have to be available and communicative at all times. A cell phone that constantly emits message tones is difficult to put down. If necessary, agree on rules and set times when the group should not be written to. If you notice that it's becoming too much for your child, take the pressure off of having to react to everything.
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

