To leave this Whatsapp group- awkward

[Wishfulmakeupping]

In a nutshell- live in a small new area the first few of us set up a WhatsApp group and started meeting for drinks. As times gone on and More people have moved in it's not been a very inclusive situation and turned into a bit of a clique over time I havent been going to all the drinks (too busy etc) but see them from time to time all very nice but recently the group has started to single out one person and it's become unpleasant, comments on the groups and rumours about the person (which she doesn't know as not on the group or invited to drinks)
I've said that it's not nice what happening and that I don't agree with it.
I want to leave this group as I don't want to be party to all this but equally these are all my immediate neighbours and would like to be civil - should I just leave and expect I'll probably be the next target?

Leave and don't give it a second thought.

Leaving a Whatsapp group is not being uncivil it's just leaving a Whatsapp group. Don't over think it.

Just leave. If anyone asks either tell them the truth (that they are 'mean girls') or tell a white lie about needing to remove group due to lack of memory on phone or something of this ilk

As above - leave, and don't give it another thought.

Just leave sounds gossipy I don't understand whatsapp groups they just seem to cause hassle and confusion and its just another thing to worry about

I think you should do the opposite and start adding random people so it is more inclusive

I was in exactly the same situation.
I sent a whatsapp group message saying i was coming off whatsapp and if any further meet ups could someone text me
Never heard from any of them again
Result x

Do you use WhatsApp for other purposes? If not I'd just delete the whole thing.

I think it will be more political to leave the group actually. Silly but true. If you are prepared for the fallout, go for it. Otherwise you could mute the group and turn off notifications for a year.

Do you have the group 'muted'? That way you don't have the notifications, but you're still in the group. If you tap the group name at the top of the conversation, then scroll down, you get an option to mute for 8 hours, a week or a year. I've done it for a couple of groups where it's wiser if I'm aware what's going on, but I don't interact with them unless I really have to. No-one has commented on it, and it makes my life nicer.

Cherrytart Genius! :o

Ugh. An adult school playground.

You don't have to be in their group. You can be civil and polit without associating. Leave the group quietly and if anyone asks you why say you've reviewed and reduced your social media use.

I'd leave to make a point. You sound like you are a nice person and you don't wish to partake in a juvenile bitchy exclusive clique. I'd want them to realise that I find their behaviour unacceptable by leaving the WA group. I'd continue to exchange neighbourly pleasantries, but I'd make it clear that excluding and gossiping about my other neighbours isn't something I'd be joining in with.

Just turn notifications off, stay in group but don't participate, you never know when you might need to send a message or ask a question.

I'd be tempted to stay on it and keep posting comments about not liking it being gossipy and rude and reminding them that posting mean comments online is a bad idea etc.

.
Although you might find they all leave and start up a new group 😂

Definitely leave. This is horrible. You don't want to be friends with these people. You can still be civil and neighbourly. As a pp said, by being part of the group, even if you have notifications turned off, is being complicit in the nastiness.

Leave the group or, as suggested above, Mute it.

Yes I don't want to seem like I'm involved in this bitching by staying in the group - thank you all. I was concerned I might look like a drama queen by leaving group but really staying in it serves no purpose than appeasing these people so time to go.

Is it just a couple of people bitching or everyone!