Managing conflicts in social networks and WhatsApp

Without a doubt, immersed in the world of information and communication technologies (ICT), the social media and the different instant messaging applications –among them and predominantly, WhatsApp- have transformed communication between people.

Today, we observe 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 an awareness, an awareness, that determines a correct, efficient and effective use in communication processes, causing conflicts in a virtual environment that requires strategies for a resolution that promotes spaces for reflection, respect and assertiveness.

Interpersonal conflicts that generate the use of social networks

We live therefore in a social stage of great technological advances that, somehow, has forgotten that the communication process is a transmission and reception of ideas, information and messages, in which it is not enough to write, being pertinent to consider not only the cultural aspects of the society and the characteristics of the groups that compose it, but also, attend attitudes, body movements, expression easy, 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 a scant 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 possibilities of "erring" in their intentionality, can lead to conflicts, modulated by the emotional states, situations and intrapersonal characteristics of their receiver.

5 tips to avoid discussions and conflicts on social media

Based on this, we ask ourselves what tools and / or keys we can use from the personal, the own, for an adequate and optimized use that reduce the risk associated with it.

The simple steps that we propose will help you, no doubt, to the objective we pursue: effective communication in virtual environments that promote personal and group meeting spaces.

1. Avoid discussions, interpretations, and judgmental conversations

The limitations presented by social networks and instant messaging applications in the lack of alluded to nonverbal and paraverbal components distort the intentionality, content and objective of the message. It is common to observe how the crossing of accusations, expletives and value judgments about the opinions expressed in this medium it involves conflicts taken to the personal realm and defended as an "attack" on one's self-esteem, belief and identity.

• advice: A simple rule to avoid this is to ask ourselves - if this person were present –face to face- would they say u / or would they express the same as virtually? -

2. Recognition of emotional states and availability

Pause for a few minutes to recognize the emotions that certain content and messages discharged on the network arouse 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 foresee that if we are upset, busy, anxious or not available for that "encounter", it will inevitably affect the content of the message and its resolution.

• advice: The key in this regard is to respect and take care of yourself, dedicate a few minutes to calm your emotional state, taking responsibility of the same and consequently, act based on a “what for” in which we attend to our needs and opinions in a way assertive.

3. Respect times, schedules and monitor impatience

The fact that the 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 choice that must be respected and attended with special care.

• advice: Just as we would not make a voice call, or go to a work meeting at 03:00 in the morning, sending personal or work matters in normalized rest periods without an emergency character, it is essential for a good use of the TIC.

4. Face-to-face interactions

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 its incidence and probable prognosis of inappropriate use. However, and taking into account the article that concerns us, 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 can only be learned in social relationships "shared in person" significant.

• advice: It is highly desirable to leave the constant review of status and messaging in interactions and / or social meetings "face to face"; For this, we can silence the device, turn it off or communicate previously that we expect an unavoidable call to attend. In this way, we facilitate our interlocutor that we are interested in his message, which is attended, avoiding a "bad impression" or "lack of interest" that will condition future events or even an interpersonal conflict in the communicative here and now.

5. Message typology

Not all the communicative content expressed in letters, emoticons or with limited characters, it is advisable to broadcast it to our interlocutor, through virtual channels. In this regard, sending messages with emotional content is an aspect that needs to be cared for and attended with special emphasis.

• advice: If we find ourselves in the situation where we must assertively defend an idea, position or personal question, it is advisable personal attention - if possible in the first instance-, the voice telephone connection, or in the absence of the above, the broadcast of a text message where we express the need to "talk" about an aspect that must be dealt with personally and by means suitable. With this, we avoid interpretations prior to the resolution of a conflict, or personal-social-labor states.

A final thought

A series of situations and tips, which can be summarized in a single key point: apply common sense.

The application of the same, taking into account the knowledge, beliefs and social behaviors of the community that we inhabit, in a prudent and logical way, will act as a guide to be able to communicate with through ICT in a reasonable way, with clear objectives, favoring spaces for growth, meeting and fun, respecting limits and promoting states of well-being and group cohesion.