Conflict management in social networks and WhatsApp

New technologies can generate disputes between people. How to manage this reality?

Undoubtedly, 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.

Today, we can see how from any mobile device we can exchange opinions, projects and information in a convenient, fast and instantaneous way.. However, their arrival, acceptance and integration into society has not been accompanied by an awareness, a realization, that determines a correct, efficient and effective use in the communication processes, causing conflicts in a virtual environment that requires strategies for a resolution that promotes spaces for reflection, respect and assertiveness.

Interpersonal conflicts generated by the use of social networks

We live 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 writing is not enough, being relevant to consider not only the cultural aspects of society and the characteristics of the groups that compose it, but also to take into account attitudes, body movements, easy expression, etc. We talk about the importance of non-verbal communication.

Non-verbal communication, which, according to existing studies, accounts for 50% of the impact and content of the message, compared to only 10% of the verbal content, represents 50% of the impact and content of the message, compared to the scarce 10% of the verbal content -the remaining 40% is assigned to paraverbal communication. -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 the emotional states, situations and intrapersonal characteristics of the receiver.

5 tips to avoid discussions and conflicts on social networks

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

The simple steps we propose will undoubtedly help you to achieve our goal: 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 alluded to distort the intentionality, content and objective of the message. It is common to observe how the exchange of accusations, expletives and value judgments about the opinions expressed in this media conflicts that are taken to a personal level and defended as an "attack" on one's self-esteem, beliefs and identity.belief and identity.

• TipA simple rule to avoid this is to ask ourselves - if this person were present - face to face - would he/she say or express the same as he/she did virtually?

2. Recognition of emotional states and availability

Taking a few minutes to recognize the emotions aroused by certain contents and messages posted on the network and/or mobile device, allows us to know where we are starting from emotionally and what the outcome of the communicative process may be. and/or mobile device, allows us to know where we start from emotionally and what may be the outcome of the communicative process. It is common sense to foresee that if we are upset, busy, distressed or unavailable for this "encounter", it will inevitably affect the content of the message and its resolution.

• TipThe key in this aspect is to respect and take care of ourselves, to dedicate a few minutes to calm our emotional state, taking responsibility for it and consequently, to act on the basis of a "what for" in which we attend to our needs and opinions in an assertive way.

3. Respecting times, schedules and watching impatience.

The fact that immediacy in the communication process of social networks and applications is their founding premise does not mean that their attention-response maintains the same spirit. Reciprocity is not an obligation, it is a personal choice that should be respected and attended to with special care.

• Tip: 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-related questions during normalized rest periods without urgency is essential for a good use of ICT.

4. Face-to-face interactions

The increase in the use of the WhatsApp application in face-to-face interactions, to the detriment of the latter, is alarming.. A separate issue is to address the need for longitudinal studies to show its incidence and probable prognosis of inappropriate use. However, and in the article at hand, we must remember that the essence of the communicative process is primarily "experiential", "live", where we learn to identify emotional states and to empower psychological aspects that only in social relationships "shared in person" can obtain a significant learning.

• Tip: It is highly desirable to leave the constant review of statuses and messaging in interactions and / or social meetings "face to face"; for this, we can mute the device, turn it off or communicate in advance that we expect an unavoidable call to attend. In this way, we facilitate our interlocutor that we are interested in his message, that it 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. Typology of messages

Not all the communicative content expressed in letters, emoticons or with limited characters, it is advisable to emit it to our interlocutor.through virtual channels. In this aspect, the sending of messaging with emotional content is an aspect to take care of and pay special attention to.

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

A final reflection

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

The application of common sense, taking into account the knowledge, beliefs and social behaviors of the community we live in, 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 for growth, meeting and fun, respecting limits and promoting states of well-being and group cohesion.