Have Group Chats Become a Danger Zone?

By: Aaliyah Michael, Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

Have you ever been left on read in a group chat? If so, you know the feeling of embarrassment that follows. You may have shared some exciting news, told a joke, or asked an important question, only to be left with crickets. 

Here’s the good (and bad) news: You’re not alone. For many, group chats serve as a hub for connection and event planning, but there seems to be an expiration date that no one ever sees coming. If these spaces are meant to help people have a good time, why do so many feel judged, alienated, and insecure?

A Quiet Place 

Many group chats start out lively and engaging, only to turn into a digital ghost town. What causes this?

Conflict

A disagreement or full-blown argument can effectively divide the members of a group chat if the matter remains unresolved. Conflict can also be caused by miscommunication, as tone is difficult to read over text. Even something as simple as punctuation can send the wrong message. For example, if you end a sentence with a period instead of an exclamation point, someone might leap to the conclusion that you aren’t as excited about something as everyone else is.

Inactivity

Sometimes, a group chat “dies” simply because its members are too busy. Other members may be paralyzed by a fear of judgment, or believe they have nothing more to contribute, resulting in the group chat being abandoned. It’s normal for friends to drift apart over time and form new connections, but abruptly cutting off all communication isn’t the way to go.

Mean Girl Behavior 

One of the riskier aspects of group chats is the sense of belonging and exclusivity they create. Community is important, but some people will manipulate this close-knit space to their own advantage. Group members may feel pressured to change certain aspects of their personality and appearance, or even put up with bullying from other members, just to “belong.” 

For example, let’s say a group of four guys hang out often and communicate via chat outside of school. Three of the guys coordinate a hangout at the movies and invite the fourth guy, Todd, to join them. Todd tells his friends he can’t make it because he has dinner with his mom. The three guys proceed to name-call Todd to pressure him into joining them at the movies. Rather than communicating their desire to spend time with their friend, they end up humiliating and alienating Todd for wanting to spend time with his mom. 

Staying Safe Online

Regardless of where you spend your time online, it’s important to know the when, how, and why for reporting someone for online abuse. Your safety and peace of mind are important, so don’t feel ashamed or self-conscious about taking action if someone is cruel to you.

When? 

You should report someone immediately after experiencing harassment, witnessing explicit violations of platform guidelines, or encountering potentially dangerous content. Timely reporting helps protect yourself and other users from potential harm or continued inappropriate behavior.

How? 

On most social media platforms, the reporting function can be found on a user's profile or post. It may appear as a "Report" button with a dropdown list of specific violations. The reporting process usually involves selecting the type of violation, providing brief context, and sometimes submitting screenshots or additional evidence to support your claim.

Why? 

Reporting helps maintain community safety by holding users accountable for inappropriate, harmful, or abusive behavior that violates platform standards. By reporting violations, you’re helping to foster a more inclusive environment and prevent future incidents of harassment, misinformation, or harmful conduct.

Looking for more digital safety tips? Check out our on-demand Youth Digital Safety course for parents and families!