# Addressing WhatsApp's Communication Crisis: A Call for Change
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Chapter 1: The WhatsApp Dilemma
How many WhatsApp groups are currently active in your life? For many, including myself, there are at least four that engage daily. A common theme across these groups is the abundance of memes, viral videos, and endless streams of forwarded jokes.
It seems WhatsApp has transformed into a digital wasteland where users thoughtlessly share unamusing, irrelevant content to multiple contacts with a mere click. This phenomenon can be likened to "fly-tipping"—a term more familiar in British culture, which describes the act of illegally dumping waste, such as old furniture or appliances, on roadsides. If you've traveled down rural lanes in the UK, you may have encountered such unsightly trash heaps left by careless individuals.
Unlike the picturesque settings portrayed in films, this is a real issue that harms communities. Such fly-tipping is not only inconsiderate but also mirrors the mindless sharing of junk on WhatsApp. It's essentially mental clutter.
Opening WhatsApp only to find a message labeled “forwarded many times” can feel soul-sucking. It’s akin to consuming empty calories; each group chat becomes a delivery system for mind-numbing content.
When WhatsApp Becomes Dangerous
In 2018, a misleading video depicting a fake child abduction spread rapidly through WhatsApp in India, leading to widespread panic. This resulted in an innocent man being mistakenly identified as a kidnapper and subsequently killed by an enraged mob. Despite police interventions clarifying the video's falsehood, the violence continued unabated. According to a BBC News feature, over two years, 31 individuals lost their lives across 23 separate incidents related to this hysteria.
The issue of fake news is particularly pronounced on WhatsApp. Unlike other platforms, the nature of WhatsApp makes information seem more personal since it often comes from friends in private groups.
However, it is unreasonable to solely blame WhatsApp for the spread of misinformation or violent reactions. It's merely a tool for communication. Facebook, which acquired WhatsApp for $16 billion in 2014, understands how swiftly information can circulate—whether it’s harmful misinformation or repeated jokes.
In response to these challenges, WhatsApp introduced labels for messages, indicating when they have been forwarded multiple times. By April 2020, messages forwarded through a chain of five or more contacts could only be sent to one person at a time. Facebook claims this has curtailed the spread of viral messages by 70%. Nevertheless, this merely shifts how users spread content, allowing them to share with groups one by one instead of in bulk.
Section 1.1: The Loss of Genuine Conversation
While the problem of fake news is significant, the more profound issue with WhatsApp is its detrimental impact on authentic communication and friendships.
In the '90s, comedian Bill Hicks remarked that watching television was akin to "spraying black paint on your third eye." One can only imagine his response to modern social media, particularly WhatsApp, which often reduces conversations to a series of gifs and memes.
A couple of years back, one of my WhatsApp groups implemented a rule against forwarding videos or viral content, promoting genuine conversation instead. The result? A refreshing escape from the digital noise.
Conversely, in another group, I received a video showing individuals tragically struck by lightning—this isn't entertainment; it's morbid voyeurism. This shift in communication style is disheartening.
Perhaps these behaviors are more prevalent among certain demographics, but until users have more control over what they receive, we can only combat this by agreeing with friends to avoid sharing viral nonsense. It may seem old-fashioned, but the benefits of actual conversation are undeniable.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Need for Curation
People seem to consume podcasts eagerly because they yearn for genuine dialogue. The tech giants thrive on constant engagement, making withdrawal from WhatsApp impractical. However, we can reclaim our conversations through curation.
Establish boundaries and guidelines for communication on WhatsApp. It doesn’t need to be a chaotic landscape. By taking charge, we can transform WhatsApp into a more constructive space for communication.
Chapter 2: A Path Forward
In closing, it’s time we foster a culture of thoughtful communication on WhatsApp. By emphasizing quality over quantity, we can enhance our relationships and revive the art of conversation. Isn’t it worth the effort?