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A group chat is a great way to connect with members of a group, team or organization and quickly exchange information through messages. They’re especially handy for getting in touch with people you might not see as often, like high school or college friends or organizing a birthday party or planning a gift for the said occasion. However, one downside to it is that it doesn’t take much for it to spiral into complete chaos, whether due to an ignorant comment or a wrong text.

Recently, X user posed the question, “What was the incident in your group chat?" that resulted in many answers detailing the unfortunate events that took place in them. Bored Panda handpicked the juiciest ones to quench your thirst for drama. To find them all you have to do is scroll down.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with writer and author Miles Klee, who started this discussion in the first place.

Writer and author Miles Klee was inspired to pose such a question online by another popular one about school. 

“The question "What was the incident at your high school?" has always been a popular topic of discussion on Twitter, and group chats (because of their gossipy nature) sometimes replicate the dynamics of social systems at school. It just felt like a fun twist on the original prompt,” he told Bored Panda.

Miles himself is a part of quite a few group chats that revolve around a shared interest or background, ranging from fantasy football league to his colleagues in the writing world. “It's a fun way to keep in touch with lots of different friends who come together around different topics.”

While being part of group chats, he also had some of them blow up due to people getting into fights and making it awkward for everyone. “That's partly what inspired the question I posed. I think people do have a tendency to behave a little more extremely in virtual settings, which probably contributes to the breakup of certain chats.”

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When it comes to sharing information in group chats, Miles believes that the boundaries of what people talk about in them should be determined by their relationship. “You can probably feel safe saying just about anything in a chat with friends you've had for years, because you know that any misunderstandings can be worked through,” he says.

But if there’s just a group of practically strangers from the internet, there’s a potential to cross the line, Miles says. “I think it's nice to have places where you can say something in confidence that you wouldn't necessarily say in public, but there should be mutual trust for that to happen—just like in any good friendship.”

A study has found that an average person is a part of a whopping 83 different group chats

A poll of 2,000 adult social media users revealed that 36% communicate using these chats more than they do in person. 52% opt for group chats instead of phone calls and 26% are more glad to text than have one-on-one conversations. 

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The most common themes of group chats were family (66%), friend groups (30%) and night out planning (30%). 

Professor of evolutionary psychology Robin Dunbar, who was a part of this study, commented on these findings by saying, “Maintaining contact with our networks is one of the most important things we can ever do. Not just because they are fun to spend time with, but because research shows that having a small, cohesive group of friends and contacts massively improves our mental health and wellbeing—and even our physical health.”

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In addition, the study found that 50% prefer group chats out of convenience of sharing pictures and videos and personal updates (56%). Around 53% favour this way of texting because it’s easy to plan things and 35% opt for it so everyone can hear news at the same time.

#10

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family has one chat that is just my siblings, mum and I and one that includes my stepdad and step sister because my stepdad doesn't get why we talk about 'unimportant' things or send memes. He just wants to be included in plans for catch ups, which he then forgets until the day before.

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6 in 10 say that online chats help them feel more connected with loved ones that live further from them, while 43% reported that their family was brought closer by being a part of a group chat. 23% have even made a new friend with a person they met by being in the same group.

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Nicola Roberts
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen it quite a lot on twitter, only it's worded in such a way that there is no doubt. In this case NTA.

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Chaotictomybone
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 38 year old ex friend with a kid disclosed he has been in a relationship with my 18 year old cousin for the past year or so, FYI she just turned 18 this year. We just found out last week

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StarCrossedFriday
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HP sauce? HP printers? Harry Potter? Probably the last one - I got murdered online by someone who insisted that because I had read Harry Potter, I was clearly okay with slavery (because of the house elves).

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Julie S
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That happened to me the only time I was group admin was because everyone else left.

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UKGrandad
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a big difference between a woman beating coworker and a woman-beating coworker.

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Communist Ferret
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I had a D&D group set a date I couldn't attend. I was also the one and only dm. Idiots

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Trillian
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2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only psychopaths send voice notes. If you want to talk, call me. But don't expect me to listen to your stream of consciousness for minutes on end.

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Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.