'A meme that almost made me quit my family WhatsApp group'

image copyrightAishwarya MullamuriIndian family WhatsApp groups are often sad places at the moment, as Covid continues to cause thousands of deaths per day in the country. But in families so far untouched by the crisis, edgy jokes and memes are sometimes causing tensions, says BBC gender and identity correspondent Megha Mohan.As my finger hovered over the “exit group” button, it occurred to me that this was the first time I’d seriously contemplated leaving the extended family WhatsApp group. Although I frequently and guiltlessly duck out of groups that outlive their purpose, none of them have ever included anyone I’m related to.Can you try to imagine how noisy a group with active outposts in three continents can be? It’s even noisier than you’re thinking.Content is shared daily, over different time zones. As the India-based delegation goes to sleep, the American battalion takes over to ensure a steady flow of memes, videos of the nieces and nephews and occasional punditry over global events (elections, say, or celebrity divorces).I’m largely a responder, regularly dispensing heart emojis over photos of the children and pets of the family. I don’t usually start a conversation. Until a couple of weeks ago, that is, when I shared…
Read More