How To Survive In A Toxic WhatsApp Group

Do you know that research done by an institute in the United States of America showed that some of the victims who went into depression blamed WhatsApp groups?

WhatsApp is currently among the popular form of communication among people. It is also one of the most affordable given that all one needs are data bundles and the WhatsApp App.

WhatsApp has more than 1,500,000,000 users globally and around 12,000,000 in Kenya, making it the second most popular social media tool in Kenya after Facebook.

The coming of WhatsApp groups made communication among groups of people easier but it came with its own challenges.

Kenya was ranked as the sixth most depressed nation in Africa with young people making up to 80 percent of the depressed lot.

Among the causes of depression, the government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Interior, identified gambling and mobile loan apps as two major causes of depression among the youth.

What many people don’t know is that depression can be caused through WhatsApp groups especially if such groups have a bully and a sadist.

How can you survive in a toxic WhatsApp group?

One of the easiest ways is to leave the WhatsApp group you consider toxic. But, not all groups can be left. What if the group you are in is work-related? What if it is a group that you can’t leave?

If the WhatsApp group that you are in is work-related, leaving or “lefting” as people call it, might be interpreted to mean you are quitting from your “professional” responsibilities.

Another easiest way to survive in a toxic WhatsApp group is to “ignore” any negative energy. But what if by doing so, it will be interpreted to mean “defiance” or “being rude”? What if the communiqué you want to “ignore” is from the boss or from someone you can’t just “ignore”?

You want to survive in a toxic WhatsApp group that you must be there no matter what? One, forget about leaving the group. Two, forget about “outrightly” ignoring the conversation.

Also Read:

• Facebook To Rename WhatsApp And Instagram in Rebranding Move
• WhatsApp New Security Feature to Block Conversation Screenshots
• WhatsApp New Feature Allow Users to Reject Being Added to Group Chats

What should you do then? 

Do the right thing. Chances are that if you do the right thing as demanded of you professionally, less heat in the group is likely to come your way.

Reply when mentioned by the “authority” in the group. Let’s say the “authority” in the work WhatsApp group wants you to do something, it is good to acknowledge the message before embarking on the directive. This will imply attentiveness on your part and to some extent, “respect”.

Do not antagonize. Most of “wars” in WhatsApp groups comes from an antagonistic characteristic of one or two members. If you are always seen as the “opposition” in a WhatsApp group, the fire will surely come your way.

If the war is not yours, don’t fight it. In WhatsApp groups, fights often erupt because people want to poke nose in the discussion that is not channeled their way. If the conversation does not involve you, do not get involved.

I know I said “don’t leave” but no work is worth your sanity, no WhatsApp group is worth your sanity. If you get stretched beyond limit, press the “leave group” option.