Britain is a nation of nosy neighbours with the vast majority of curtain twitchers snooping on WhatsApp. A new study reveals 85% of people follow the latest local dramas on their street in group chats.
The two biggest topics are events in the area and bin collections. A third say their local chat is a platform for ‘calling out the behaviour of bad or annoying neighbours’ while another third said it is used for criticising ‘bad parking’.
The research by online estate agents Purplebricks also found the weather and litter were hot topics while children playing in the street also get people messaging.
Nearly a quarter of the 2,000 adults quizzed for the study admitted their main reason for being in a chat is because they are ‘nosey’ and ‘want to see what people are talking about’.
However, the majority are members of a local chat simply to get ‘general updates’ about the area, while more than a third use it for safety and crime prevention.
One in five keeps their street chat muted while 18% admit they would love to leave, but feel it is too awkward to do so. Nearly a quarter said they would be prepared to banish a neighbour from the group if their chat etiquette became rowdy or unwelcome.
Two in 10 members say they keep their street chat on ‘mute’ while nearly 18% admit they would love to leave, but feel it is too awkward to do so. Nearly a quarter said they would be prepared to banish a neighbour from the group if their chat etiquette became rowdy or unwelcome.
More men than women are in local WhatsApp chats, and membership is most prevalent among the youngest generation of adults, with interest waning as people get older. But even among Baby Boomers aged 61-79, 77% are members of a group.
Scots are the nosiest neighbours with nine in 95% admitting they’re in a local WhatsApp chat. Yorkshire and Humber has the fewest chat members, with 77% in a group.
Tom Evans, Sales Director at Purplebricks said: “Every man’s home is his castle, as they say, it’s no wonder he wants to know what’s going on beyond the ramparts.”
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