Managing Conflicts On Social Networks And WhatsApp
Without a doubt, immersed in the world of information and communication technologies (ICT), social networks and different instant messaging applications – among them and predominantly, WhatsApp– have transformed communication between people.
Currently, we see how From any mobile device we can exchange opinions, projects and information in a comfortable, fast and instantaneous way However, its arrival, acceptance and integration into society has not been accompanied by awareness, an awareness that determines correct, efficient and effective use in communication processes, causing conflicts in a virtual environment that requires strategies for resolution that promotes spaces for reflection, respect and assertiveness.
Interpersonal conflicts generated by the use of social networks
We live therefore in a social stage of great technological advances that, in some way, has forgotten that the communication process is a transmission and reception of ideas, information and messages, in which writing is not enough, it is pertinent to consider not only the cultural aspects of society and the characteristics of the groups that make it up, but also, attending to attitudes, body movements, easy expression, etc. We talk about the importance of non-verbal communication.
A non-verbal communication that, according to existing studies, represents 50% of the impact and content of the message, compared to just 10% of the verbal content –the remaining 40% is assigned to paraverbal communication- which shows us the lack of body and form in these new virtual forms of communication, where the possibilities of “erring” in their intentionality can lead to conflicts, modulated by emotional states. , situations and intrapersonal characteristics of its recipient.
5 tips to avoid arguments and conflicts on social networks
Based on this, we ask ourselves What tools and/or keys can we use personally, for proper and optimized use that reduces the risk associated with it?
The simple steps we propose will undoubtedly help you achieve the objective we pursue: effective communication in virtual environments that promote spaces for personal and group meetings.
1. Avoid discussions, interpretations and judgmental conversations
The limitations presented by social networks and instant messaging applications in the lack of non-verbal and paraverbal components mentioned distort the intentionality, content and objective of the message. It is common to observe how the intersection of accusations, insults and value judgments about the opinions expressed in this medium entails conflicts taken to the personal level and defended as an “attack” on one’s own self-esteem belief and identity.
2. Recognition of emotional states and availability
Stop for a few minutes to recognize the emotions that certain content and messages on the Internet provoke in us and/or mobile device, allows us to know where we start emotionally and what the outcome of the communication process may be. It is common sense to anticipate that if we are upset, busy, distressed or unavailable for that “encounter”, it will inevitably affect the content of the message and its resolution.
3. Respect times, schedules and monitor impatience
The fact that immediacy in the communication process of social networks and applications is its founding premise does not mean that its attention-response maintains the same spirit. Reciprocity is not an obligation, it is a personal option that must be respected and attended with special care.
The increase in the use of the WhatsApp application in person-to-person interactions, to the detriment of the latter, is alarming A separate issue is to address the need for longitudinal studies that show the incidence and probable prognosis of inappropriate use. However, and considering the article at hand, we must remember that the essence of the communicative process is primarily “experiential”, “live”, a place where we learn to identify emotional states and empower psychological aspects that only in “shared” social relationships. face-to-face mode” can obtain significant learning.
5. Typology of messages
Not all communicative content expressed in letters, emoticons or with character limitations is advisable to broadcast to our interlocutor, through virtual channels. In this aspect, sending messages with emotional content is an aspect that must be taken care of and attended to with special emphasis.
A final thought
A series of situations and advice, which can be summarized in a single key point: apply common sense
The application of it, taking into account the knowledge, beliefs and social behaviors of the community we inhabit, in a prudent and logical way, will guide us to be able to communicate through ICT in a reasonable way, with clear objectives, favoring spaces of growth, encounter and fun, respecting limits and promoting states of well-being and group cohesion.
