A survey of 2,000 adults who are active on social media and participate in online groups revealed that 36% communicate more with people through these chats than they do face-to-face.
Over half (52%) converse more via online group messaging than phone calls, while 26% prefer group chats over one-on-one conversations.
The most popular group names include 'holibobs', 'hen huns' and 'famalam'. WhatsApp users, who makeup 86% of the respondents, typically belong to 10 groups averaging 12 members each.
Family (66%), friendship circles (55%) and night out planning (30%) are the most common themes for these groups.
The study, carried out by Vodafone in collaboration with Professor of Evolutionary Psychology Robin Dunbar, stated: "Maintaining contact with our networks is one of the most important things we can ever do. Not just because they are fun to spend time with, but because research shows that having a small, cohesive group of friends and contacts massively improves our mental health and wellbeing - and even our physical health."
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The research also found that 50% prefer using group chats for ease of sharing pictures and videos, while 56% find it useful for sharing personal updates.
More than half (53%) find it easier to plan events through group chats, and 29% believe it's more efficient.
Moreover, when there's news to share, 35% choose the group chat so everyone can hear it simultaneously.
A whopping six out of 10 people who don't live with their loved ones have found that online chats make them feel closer, and nearly half of those in family group chats reckon it's brought them tighter together.
Half of those polled have a group profile picture which doesn't include every member, while 37 per cent don’t have one at all. (Simon Jacobs/PinPep)It's also come to light that 23% have struck up a friendship with someone they met in a group chat.
Exactly half of the survey respondents have a group photo that doesn't include everyone, and over a third don't bother with one at all.
And when it comes to representing their group, one in seven just grab a random image off Google, as revealed by OnePoll.com.
In a move to celebrate our nation's social circles, Vodafone has unveiled Britain's largest photo booth at Potters Field Park, London, with telly host Roman Kemp and celebrity snapper Samir Hussein leading the festivities.
This mega photo booth is a giant among its kind, fitting up to 30 people at once that's 6.5 times the size of your average booth!
Roman Kemp, the TV face for Vodafone, shared: "I know how important it is to stay connected to your online networks, I would be totally lost without my group chats."
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"Whether it's sharing a quick update with the Kemp Clan or coordinating the next game with my five-a-side football team, my online group chats are the way I stay connected."
"Also, as I travel a lot, group chats are the easiest way to communicate with everyone back home, keeping me in the loop no matter where I am."
Rob Winterschladen, consumer director at Vodafone UK, stated: "The nation is made up of these often behind the scenes networks that exist on our phones. Our shared groups are some of the most important parts of our lives, but they are rarely celebrated. And whilst we spend time ensuring our social media profile pics show our best selves, our group profile pics are often an afterthought."
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