AIBU WhatsApp dumping

[Covidbegone]

I am probably being over sensitive, but when you are on a WhatsApp group with a load of mates, and then out of the blue, one of the group just announces they are having a digital detox and leaving the group for ‘a while’ they might as well just say, it’s you it’s not me, you’re dumped, because hardly anyone ever rejoins when they leave do they.

As I said probably overly sensitive, but does anyone else feel like they’ve been dumped when that happens?

Errr what now?!

You’re being daft. I personally can’t stand WhatsApp groups, I find them really invasive.

I don't find it to be attention seeking, but depends how it's done. I've left groups and told them so nobody thought they'd offended me. Would just say that I have a lot going on and would be switching it off for a bit and catch up soon. No biggie.

I play on my phone waaaaay too much, hours and hours. Occasionally I take a break, deactivate Facebook etc. It wouldn’t be enough for me to mute a WhatsApp group either as I’d know it was there and I’d last a day.

I was on a couple of groups which started out ok but became a look at what I have got/done fest over lock down. It was hard on those shielding constantly seeing pictures of people out and about etc etc
I left a couple but didn't announce it...

Maybe something similar? Some of the groups are quite repetitive

Digital Detox! How wanky. I wouldn't be offended I'd just think they were an idiot to use such a term.

Some groups can definitely exacerbate anxieties. I would leave a group with a load of political posts (even if they shared my politic opinions) and arguments as I find it stressful and always end up looking even if muted. Same for groups with people who post show offy stuff I find a bit drainy. Groups with general chat I'd just mute if it wasn't interesting.

Some people are really dramatic though about a group having conversations that don't interest them. I've known people make an announcement that they're leaving a group because there was a conversation they weren't part of (it was just someone trying to find a speach therapist for their child - I had muted it as I didn't have anything to add but it was a local whatsapp group of mums so it wasn't an irrelevant topic for someone to bring up). Instead of muting she made a big announcement about the notifications giving her a headache then left. She asked to rejoin though in a few weeks.

I hate whatsapp groups. I'd rather just communicate one on one.

@rorosemary

As long as you're not like my annoying friend who won't join the whatsapp group for a meet up we're trying to arrange because 'she hates whatsapp groups' but then expects to be kept updated and to rearrange plans when it turns out they're not convenient for her.

You're taking it way too personally/making it about you, sorry.

I left a couple of groups recently because it was stressing me out to see the notifications stacking up even though they were muted, so I messaged to say 'Love you all but taking a break from Whatsapp for a bit, byeeeee'. Everyone understood it was about me, not them.

I expected this to say that someone had removed you from a group, not that someone else left!

Wtf. Grow up.

I wouldn't take that personally. Technology and digital communication has completely taken over life in many ways. I have to have my phone on silent because I honestly can't go for more than 5 minutes without getting either a social media notification or one from a group message.

I would very much like to do the same - but I'm so isolated at the moment I think it'd do more damage. But certainly when life gets back to normal (pleaaaase!!) I'll be holding back and maybe not being in quite so many group chats .. or at least having them muted.