Staying connected
Practical tips for using WhatsApp messages and Zoom digital meeting rooms to stay connected.
What is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a free messaging application that allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls. You can also share photos, videos and documents.
- You’ll need a functioning phone number. Once you've downloaded WhatsApp, you'll need to set up your free account.
- You can use it to keep in touch with your contacts using your mobile data or a Wi-Fi connection.
- You can also access your account and send messages from your personal computer when your phone is connected to the internet.
Ways to use WhatsApp to stay in touch
You can use WhatsApp:
- to help members of your group to stay in touch
- to send one-way communications to a large group of people through the WhatsApp Broadcast feature
- for one-to-one communications with individuals.
WhatsApp groups and privacy
WhatsApp also allows you to set up group chats with multiple people. However using group chats can have serious implications under UK general data protection regulations (GDPR). This is because the group chat function shares all participants' phone numbers and messages with each other.
Before setting up a group make sure you make sure everyone you add understands and consents to sharing their mobile phone number, comments and any files or media with the whole group
You can find instructions on how create a chat group in WhatsApp's FAQs.
Using group chat on WhatsApp
Once you've set up a group chat, you can communicate with group members in the following ways:
- Text message: The text message feature lets you to send quick texts, website links, photos, videos or documents to your contacts.
- Voice message: Recording a voice message can be quicker than typing a long message. It's can be a useful feature for anyone who finds typing difficult.
- Phone call: You can have a conversation with your contacts using the call feature.
- Video call: You’ll appear on screen while speaking to your contact.
- Broadcast list: The broadcast feature enables you to send a message or document to up to 256 contacts at once.
More things to consider when using WhatsApp
- Not everyone will have access to a mobile phone or WhatsApp. So remember to keep important discussions and messaging on a channel you know everyone has. Or make sure you have a way to share decisions or chats with members not on WhatsApp.
- Try to keep what you say or write inclusive, so everyone feels welcomed and safe.
- Keep your smartphone and devices safe. Keep your password or pin protected and stay up-to-date with the latest system and security updates. Don’t connect to unknown or public WI-FI connections.
- Be mindful of how often people will want to be contacted. Only share necessary information during daytime hours to avoid disturbing your contacts.
- WhatsApp is a useful communication tool but should not be used to share someone else’s personal information. Health information is particularly sensitive and you should try to avoid communicating it on WhatsApp.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a digital application that lets you host online video meetings in virtual rooms called 'Zoom rooms'. The free version of Zoom lets up to 100 people meet for 45 minutes at a time.
Why use Zoom?
- It’s easy to set up a Zoom account
- It has lots of different ways for people to interact with each other, including a chat function and emoji reactions. As meeting host, you can split people into smaller groups to work together. And decide who can join the meeting.
- It has some good accessibility functions including transcripts and auto-generated subtitles for people with hearing loss. People who have difficulty with speech can still contribute using the chat function.
- Joining meetings is easy for groups members as you don't need to log in.
- If a group member doesn't have access to a camera and mic they can dial in on a landline. It also works well on smartphone and tablet.
- The technology is relatively stable so works over a slow internet connection
- Up to 49 people can see each other in the 'gallery view' which helps build relationships
- You can set up a poll during a meeting to gather quick feedback or input from everyone.
How to use Zoom
The good thing about Zoom is it has support videos on all its features, including how to set up your first session.
You can find lots of support information and tips on the Zoom website.
The free version of Zoom allows up to 100 people to meet for 40 minutes. After that the meeting closes and everyone has to rejoin using a link (a good time for that comfort break though!).
What's next?
We hope this page has helped you think about using WhatsApp and Zoom. Go back to the start page to explore next steps.
Explore virtual support and webinars
We’ve got a range of virtual support events to help you connect.
Sign up to interactive webinars for the latest information on our monthly topic, or how to manage your MS. Or join our wellbeing group sessions - they're a great way to learn more about self management and meet others from across the UK.
