The sharing of political news is becoming less frequent in family, friend, and work groups on WhatsApp. Furthermore, more than half of the people who participate in these groups say they are afraid to express their opinions.
The finding is part of the study The Vectors of Political Communication in Messaging Apps , released this Monday (15).
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The survey was conducted by the independent research center InternetLab and the Social Knowledge Network , both non-profit organizations.
The research identified that more than half of the people who use WhatsApp are in family groups (54%) and friend groups (53%). More than a third (38%) participate in work groups.
Only 6% are in political discussion groups. In a survey conducted in 2020, that figure was 10%.
By examining the content of family, friend, and work groups, researchers found that, from 2021 to 2024, there was a decrease in the frequency of messages about politics, politicians, and government.
In 2021, 34% of people said that the family group was the one in which this type of news appeared most frequently. In 2024, that figure was 27% .
Regarding groups of friends, the proportion fell from 38% to 24%. In work groups, from 16% to 11%.
The study presents testimonies from some of the interviewees, without identifying them.
“We avoid talking about politics. I think everyone there has a self-regulating sense, and each person tries to have good sense so as not to mix things up,” says a 50-year-old woman from São Paulo about the family group.
The information was collected online from 3,113 people aged 16 or older, between November 20 and December 10, 2024. People from all regions of the country were interviewed.
Fear of taking a stand
The research identified a reluctance to share political opinions. Just over half (56%) of those interviewed said they were afraid to express their opinion on politics “because the environment is too aggressive.”
It was possible to map that this perception was felt by 63% of people who considered themselves left-wing, 66% of those in the center, and 61% of those on the right.
“I think the attacks are more heated these days. So, sometimes you say something and it gets more complicated, people don’t want to debate, in fact, they just want to fight,” says a 36-year-old woman from Pernambuco.
The study’s authors state that behaviors aimed at avoiding conflict within groups have become entrenched. The data shows that 52% of respondents are increasingly careful about what they say in group chats, while 50% avoid discussing politics in family group chats to avoid arguments.
“People have become self-regulating, and in groups where there was always something to discuss, today it’s practically zero. People try, someone posts something, but it’s ignored,” describes one interviewee.
About two-thirds (65%) say they avoid sharing messages that could attack other people’s values, according to the survey.
Of those surveyed, 29% have already left groups where they did not feel comfortable expressing their political opinions.
“I had to leave, it was too much, too many fights, too many arguments, political propaganda, shouting matches,” says one interviewee.
Affirmation
But the survey also identifies that 12% of people share something considered important even if it might cause discomfort in some group.
Eighteen percent say that when they believe in an idea, they share it even if it might seem offensive.
“I stir things up in the group. I like controversial topics, I like to talk, I like to add fuel to the fire, and many times I get removed,” says a 26-year-old woman from Minas Gerais.
Among the 44% who feel safe discussing politics on WhatsApp, the following strategies are adopted:
- 30% think that sending humorous messages is a good way to talk about politics without starting arguments;
- 34% think it’s better to talk about politics in private than in groups;
- 29% only talk about politics in groups with like-minded people.
“I like to discuss things, but only privately. I don’t like to expose this to everyone,” reveals a 32-year-old interviewee from Espírito Santo.
“It’s as if people have already accepted that that group is more aligned with a specific political view. Anyone who wants to can join,” says a 47-year-old woman from Rio Grande do Norte.
The study was financially supported by WhatsApp. According to InternetLab, the company had no influence on the research.
Maturation
One of the study’s authors, the director of InternetLab, Heloisa Massaro, notes that WhatsApp is a tool “deeply rooted” in people’s daily lives. Therefore, just as in the ” offline ” world, that is, in person, the topic of politics is part of these interactions.
The study has been conducted annually since the end of 2020. According to Heloisa, over the years, people “have developed their own ethical norms for dealing with this political communication on the app,” especially within groups.
“They are policing themselves more, they report a maturation in their use,” says the author. “Over time, we observe this ethic of groups in the relationships of messaging apps for talking about politics developing,” she adds.
