Chat apps like Whatsapp may be used to enhance and manage relationships, but they also have a downside?
Dr Eve says we need to be aware of the shortfalls as well as the benefits. Messages are open to misinterpretation and the tone is not always accurately conveyed in text form.
We need to be capitalising on the huge benefits that the internet can potentially offer us
— Dr Eve, clinical sexologist
Dr Eve questioned the fact that some people are able to communicate freely on their mobile devices but face difficulties when communicating face-to-face.
Do you find that you can better have conversations about money, children and sex online that face-to-face? Then there is a problem.
— Dr Eve, clinical sexologist
Think about how misinterpretation can happen, how there can be ambiguity, how there can be uncertainty... you going to come home at the end of the day and there's going to be tension.
— Dr Eve, clinical sexologist
Dr emphasised that difficult conversation should not be held on platforms such as WhatsApp. She says when people are on Whatsapp they have no facial expressions. All they have is written language. There are no non-verbal cues as to how the person is feeling.
These chat platforms are not appropriate for in-depth sensitive discussions.
What is suggested is that you want to use a much richer platform, and that is face-to-face
— Dr Eve, clinical sexologist
Listen to the full conversation below:
This article first appeared on 702 : Is Whatsapp ruining your relationship?
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