While many assume that instant messaging platforms are merely for chatting with friends and family, there is now a growing pool of data that suggest otherwise.
Modes of communication are now transforming even within businesses and companies, as a way to make interactions with clients or employees quick, easy and efficient. While emails are still a primary means of engagement, group chats have quickly taken hold. What began as a new way for people to communicate company-wide, has now led to constant interruptions, leaving serious consequences.
The flurry of group chats ranging from inter-departmental conversations to project-based dialogue have left many employees in a rut. Co-workers are now faced with the additional stress of having to keep up with each and every chat. These short-term conversational conveniences mean putting long-term organisational health at risk. Also add to this mix the fact that our phone’s constantly buzzing with messages means energy and data consumption is higher resulting in us charging our phones several times a day and ending up with a higher that usual monthly phone bill.
While group chats and other on-the-spot forms of communication offer a way to hash things out quickly, unlike lengthy emails, there is something to be said about the anxiety that comes along with it. The method and manner in which people choose to communicate are paramount to how they feel mentally and emotionally. At times, being a part of group conversations can leave coworkers exhausted from constantly following up on chats that might be important, or making sure they are up-to-date with their surroundings, or even from a simple fear of missing out.
Instantaneous messages also mean instantaneous distractions. Considering the social nature in which group chats are designed, these apps can drain productivity without people even being consciously aware of it. One study that investigated the disruption and recovery of computing tasks, revealed that workers took an average of eight minutes to get back to the task at hand after sending one chat message - and this has been further proliferated since the dawn of the group chat culture.
While many employees find themselves bound to their work and the technological changes that come with it, it is essential to take a step back and reflect on what’s most important, be it mental health, or basic self-care. In light of this, as a brand that is committed towards enhancing the quality of life of Sri Lankans, Softlogic Life announced 22nd July as “Group Exit Day”. A day dedicated to exiting all unwanted messaging groups thereby allowing people to detox and bringing them much needed peace of mind. In a bid to officiate this day, Softlogic Life has also created an online petition to get peoples’ signatures to declare it as an international day, starting from 22 July, 2022.