New research has revealed a snapshot of the online networks that make up the nation and the habits and behaviours that drive our group chats.
The average adult is now part of 83 active group chats and the way we’re communicating as a nation is evolving, with group chats now surpassing 1-2-1 conversations.
Over a quarter (26%) communicate with friends, family, and work colleagues through their group chats more than one-on-one messaging, with ‘Holibobs’, ‘Hen Huns’ and ‘Famalam’ revealed as the three most common group names.
To celebrate the launch of ‘The Nation’s Network’, Vodafone has created the UK’s biggest photo booth, to give online groups and communities the chance to get the ultimate group profile pic from celebrity photographer Samir Hussein.
Using the magic of AI, each photo will be given a fun and unique background to bring to life the individual groups personality.
The study was conducted in partnership with Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, Robin Dunbar, who said: “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.”
The top five reasons people prefer group chats. Being able to share personal updates with everyone at one time (56%), ease of planning (53%) sharing pictures and videos (50%), loved ones being able to hear big news at the same time – so as not to be accused of ‘playing favourites’ (35%) and efficiency, given that people are so time-poor (29%) are all key reasons.
With eight in 10 (86%) adults choosing WhatsApp as a key platform for communication, the average user is part of 10 group chats with 12 members on WhatsApp, with the most common group chat themes including family (66%), friendship groups (55%) and night out planning (30%).
However, with so many different active online networks in play, the research found that half (50%) of users are part of an online community or group that lacks a profile picture including all its members.
To celebrate the nation’s networks – the groups, teams, squads, and crews that exist on our phones, Vodafone has created the UK’s biggest ever photo booth to bring groups of friends, family, colleagues and more together and for a profile picture with a difference.
The structure, which holds up to 30 people at a time and is x6.5 bigger than the average photo booth, will offer the nation’s diverse networks and communities a profile picture with an AI twist, captured by photographer to the stars, Samir Hussein, known for his candid photography of the Royals and celebrities including Taylor Swift, Zendaya, The Rolling Stones and Stormzy.
Vodafone brand ambassador and broadcaster, Roman Kemp said; “I know how important it is to stay connected to your online networks, I would be totally lost without my group chats.
“As the nation’s network, Vodafone is helping us all to stay connected and I’m excited to be celebrating the weird, wacky, and wonderful networks that make up the nation.”
Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK at Vodafone said, “The nation is made up of these often behind the scenes networks that exist on our phones. Our shared groups, messaging cliques and communities are some of the most important parts of our lives, but they are rarely celebrated.”
The UK’s biggest photo booth will be open in Potters Field Park, Southwark on the 12th and 13th June, while a team of photographers in Edinburgh and Cardiff will be capturing images of the nation’s networks that can’t make it to the capital.
