While we don’t always think of WhatsApp as a social media tool, Pariante says that, in helping us feel part of a society, connected and loved, it gives the same sense of social reward. That sense of reward and social connection could explain why the majority of survey participants feel WhatsApp has a positive impact on their lives.

Rosie Weatherley from mental health charity Mind believes instant messaging tools offer many benefits, especially when people are physically isolated. “As an informal, low-pressure way to stay in touch, they serve as little reminders that people are thinking of you.”

She advises that if people feel overwhelmed or pressured by notifications and chat threads, they should find ways to set a tone and pace of conversation they’re comfortable with. “You might decide to mute group chats or even leave some of them… or withhold information like when you were last online, or whether you’ve read a message.”

There are lots of ways to give yourself a breather, but what if the problem runs deeper than adjusting your phone settings? Simone Bose, Relate spokesperson and relationship counsellor, says that although many of her clients have found WhatsApp to be a lifeline, the app comes up a lot in her sessions, with some people even losing friendships because of it.

The hidden effects of using WhatsApp to keep our friendships alive during lockdown