Brits obsession with WhatsApp teams revealed from ‘organiser’ to the ‘ghoster’

Group chats the are the unofficial headquarters of modern friendships and he average person contributes to at least 151 a year – though 47% of plans never make it off the screen

Almost half of Brits currently have a social plan stuck in the group chat with staycations the subject most likely to be discussed but never booked. New research has revealed that the humble messages have become the unofficial headquarters of modern friendships with 71% using them to organise their social lives.

The average person contributes to at least 151 a year – though 47% of plans never make it off the screen, according to the survey by Sky Mobile. Topics most likely to be dead before arrival are staycations (27%), pub catch-ups (25%) and birthdays (20%). But despite this, 57% say group chats are key to keeping friendships alive.

The messages are most popular with Gen Z with 81% saying their social lives rely on them. In contrast, those aged 55 to 64 are more likely to prefer direct forms of communication, including calling friends on the phone (37%), emailing (10%), or individually texting (30%).

Brits check group chats an average time of four times a day and send around 18 messages to organise an occasion. And behind every plan is a familiar cast of characters including The Yapper who sends long voice notes on everything but the plans, The Ghoster who reads every message but rarely replies and The Flake, who commits enthusiastically before dropping out.

When asked which character they relate to most, more than a third of Brits (36%) admit they’re the I’m Easy Friend, while one in five (21%) identify as The Organiser and 14% as The Ghoster.

Ben Case, managing director of connectivity at Sky, said: “We’re all familiar with group chats where the messages keep coming but the plan never quite gets made.

“Whether you’re sorting the date, chasing the group or dealing with a last-minute change, Sky Mobile’s flexible plans and data rollover help you stay connected to the people and plans that matter.”

Sky Mobile’s 99% UK network coverage and flexible benefits, including Mix and Roll, help customers stay connected to chats, plans and last-minute gossip.

From meme machine to “I’m Easy”, the group chat cast revealed

1. The Organiser – the powerhouse who turns ideas into reality.
2. The “I’m Easy” Friend – the nonchalant one whose hidden preferences are a hindrance to plans.
3. The Ghoster – the silent member who reads every message, never replies, but shows up for every occasion.
4. The Last-Minute Responder – the one who responds to arrangements at the last minute after the plan has been formed.
5. The Meme Machine – the person who communicates almost entirely in memes, GIFs, TikToks, and screenshots.
6. The Flake – the one who is enthusiastic until something major comes up and, as always, drops out at the last second.
7. The Yapper – the one who sends long voice notes and paragraphs on topics completely unrelated to the plan.
8. The Instigator – the person who constantly suggests plans but leaves everyone else to organise them.