Digital Technologies and Motherhood: A mothers’ Viber Group of First-Grade Children

This paper focuses on digital communication between mothers of firstgrade primary school children in a rural area in Argolida, Greece, and explores verbal and non-verbal expression daily through the Viber app. Sending texts, videos, and audio messages, sharing emoticons, memes, and stickers, choosing to be in silence or avoid communication play a crucial role in shaping how mothers connect with others, manage their relationships, and navigate their social spheres. It also ensures the flow of information about school life, the exchange of views and ideas about motherhood, and strengthens the bonds between group members, promoting solidarity and support. Today, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, digital platforms have emerged as an important tool for maintaining and strengthening communication. The purpose of this study is to investigate communication among mothers of primary school students in Greece while using the Viber app. In addition, it seeks their attitudes within the group, how communication between them is enhanced, the existence of tensions or conflicts, and how they are resolved. The qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with twelve (12) mothers of children in the first grade of primary school, aged 28 to 47 years, from March to April 2025. The research participants are mothers who regularly use mobile devices and social networking platforms. Through these interviews, it analyzes efforts to enhance their mutual interactions, their involvement in significant school life decisions, and the emotional support they offer for personal issues.

Introduction

The use of social media and digital platforms, after the COVID-19 pandemic, has emerged as an essential tool for communication between family members and teachers. The pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of digital tools for distance learning and direct verbal and non-verbal communication among parents. Today, social media and digital platforms like Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Viber facilitate more frequent, interactive, and constructive communication among parents, teachers, and students. Thus, social media users primarily rely on text to communicate. In digital text-based exchanges, things like memes and emoticons have largely taken the place of face-to-face cues, allowing users to convey various emotions through text-based representations of facial expressions.

This paper focuses on verbal and non-verbal communication of first-grade mothers on Viber, using text messages, pictures, videos, and audio messages. As a form of verbal communication, these messages employ spoken or written language to convey information and ideas. On the other hand, Viber offers a wide variety of emoticons, memes, and stickers that can be used to express emotions, attitudes, and reactions (Derkset al., 2008; Aldunate & González-Ibáñez, 2017). Thus, in face-to-face conversations, body and facial expressions are rich sources of nonverbal cues, providing interlocutors with clues to express and interpret verbal messages. When communicating digitally, users rely on texts, emoticons, memes, and stickers to express emotions, whereas in-person interactions benefit from body language and facial expressions that provide a deeper understanding of spoken words. Consequently, communication between mothers often involves conveying emotions through verbal and non-verbal cues. Though, there are non-verbal cues that are more crucial because they often provide a more spontaneous and authentic reflection of mothers’ emotional states than verbal statements alone. They convey meaning without the need for spoken words, relying instead on a shared understanding of human expressions and behaviors. The interplay between these verbal and non-verbal signals creates a rich and nuanced tapestry of emotional communication between mothers. Viber facilitates synchronous communication, enabling real-time message exchange and fostering instant interaction among team members. The timing of messages sent and received, along with response speed, can signal the availability, interest, and perceived importance of communication.

Accordingly, this paper, based on in-depth interviews with twelve mothers of first-grade primary school children in a rural area of Argolida, Greece, studies their understanding of the role of Viber in their daily rituals. This research aims to explore the ways in which mothers use Viber to communicate verbally and non-verbally and interact socially with others in a group. It, therefore, highlights the ways mothers operate within the group, their interpersonal relationships, their perception of text messages, the interpretation of emoticons, and the resolution of tensions and disagreements. Digital apps, such as Viber, provide instantaneous exchanges, foster immediate interaction, and real-time conversations. Their group features allow mothers to engage in discussions simultaneously, which significantly facilitates collaboration and exchange of information. Eventually, this kind of communication plays a vital role in building trust, encouraging cooperation, strengthening interpersonal relationships, and creating a sense of motherhood. It also creates a positive environment and can even help overcome social and cultural barriers to interactions. How does the use of Viber affect mothers’ sense of social connectedness and support? Do mothers in this group feel part of a community that understands and supports them? What is the role of the written and audio messages? What is the importance of emoticons in this relationship and their interaction? How is motherhood expressed and enhanced today?

Methodology

This research involved twelve (12) mothers of children in the first grade at a primary school in Argolida, Greece. This group of mothers was identified as competent users of digital tools, possessing advanced digital technology skills and consistent access to these technologies. This was a critical criterion, as the study explored aspects related to digital engagement. Thus, Maria (28), Athanasia (32), Katerina (36), Helen (39), Aggeliki (30), Dina (45), Nancy (42), Laura (29), Natalia (28), Gianna (47), Niki (42), and Georgia (33) agreed to participate in this research, sharing experiences regarding their digital group, which had been proactively organized at the outset of the school year in early September. It’s noteworthy that a considerable number of these mothers already shared familiarity, having been connected through their children’s attendance at kindergarten in previous years.

To thoroughly investigate the use of the Viber app, a qualitative methodological approach centered on in-depth interviews with mothers possessing technological knowledge was employed. These interviews were designed to be open-ended, guided by thematic sections, encouraging participants to engage in natural conversations and freely articulate their experiences and perspectives. The key objective of these discussions was to understand how mothers utilized this app in their daily rituals. Concurrently, the research delved into their views on Viber’s role in facilitating communication among themselves and its potential for fostering group formation. These interviews allowed for a rich collection of qualitative data, capturing nuanced insights into their interactions with technology and their social connections within the digital sphere.

Analytically, interviews were conducted at the school office and lasted 30-60 minutes. The interview process began with an initial debriefing and rapport-building with the participants at the school. This was followed by formal interviews conducted in the school office. To gather rich, qualitative data crucial for the research, interview durations were adjusted to suit the mothers’ needs and the complexity of the questions. Therefore, by delving into mothers’ experiences and views through their narratives, this research provides insights into understanding the complex relationship between technology and motherhood. The findings of this research fill a gap in studies on digitality in Greece and contribute to enriching the academic debate on digital sociability, everyday use of new technologies, and the impact of technology on mothers’ lives and motherhood practices.

Literature Review

Beyond the Pandemic: A New Digital Ritual

Communication is a multifaceted skill that is vital for successful interactions and adaptation to various environments (Touloumakos, 2020). It acts as a conduit for all human relationships and activities, facilitating the exchange of information, emotions, and ideas. Both verbal and non-verbal expressions foster understanding, cultivate empathy, and build mutual trust. Effective communication relies on active listening, clear expression, and a genuine willingness to exchange ideas. These elements create an environment in which meaningful connections flourish, strengthen relationships, and foster moments of joy, support, and solidarity. Ultimately, communication is a fundamental aspect of daily life, serving as a crucial tool for human endeavors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted communication and social interactions within educational communities. Schools had to rapidly adopt digital environments and teaching platforms, imposing new operational demands. Consequently, digital platforms and social networks have become essential not only for delivering instruction but also for facilitating communication between teachers and parents. The pandemic forced teachers and parents for a rapid shift, pushing them to adopt digital communication and equipping everyone involved in the educational process with skills to navigate new technologies (Bocos & Marin, 2022; Ramadhan & Hidayah, 2022). Thus, schools are increasingly embracing modern communication tools to boost collaboration and interaction with parents. The integration of cameras, voice communication, and direct messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, and Messenger has proven especially effective (Manichander, 2016). This shift to digital platforms makes it easier for everyone involved to communicate directly, work together, and feel more connected in a “digital togetherness” (Konstantinou, 2023). So, building a strong school-parent team and enhancing parent-child relationships within the school setting hinges on parents developing positive attitudes toward digital technologies and improving their communication (Ramirez, 2001; Cary, 2006).

After the COVID-19 pandemic, digital communication remains a cornerstone for parents, strengthening their collaboration and involvement in their children’s education. The pandemic has solidified the widespread use of new technologies and digital applications for parental communication, underscoring the importance of these digital connections. Today, instant messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Viber, and Messenger, are especially favored due to their ease in facilitating information exchange. While traditional face-to-face interactions convey meaning through facial expressions and body language, digital communication, particularly text-based communication, relies on different methods. Accordingly, emoticons and stickers have partially filled in the gap for face-related information in computer and application-based communication, especially text messages. These digital tools allow users to express a range of emotional states through text-based representations of their facial expressions. Despite their virtual, static, and somewhat unnatural nature, emoticons have become a modern and effective way to enrich digital communication. Digital communication largely relies on verbal communication, using text, images, videos, and audio to convey information through written or spoken language. However, non-verbal cues are ppalso crucial. Memes, emoticons, and stickers are widely used on digital platforms to express emotions, attitudes, and reactions. Furthermore, the timing of messages—when they are sent and received—and response speed can implicitly signal availability, interest, and how important the interaction is perceived to be.

Recent research has increasingly focused on how parents, particularly mothers, express and manage parenting practices in the digital realm, utilizing websites, pages, and online communities like parenting sites, blogs, and forums. In the UK, platforms such as Mumsnet and Mumsnet Talk serve as prominent digital spaces where mothers connect to exchange advice, information, and experience. They ask questions and offer mutual support on topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to family life, health, nutrition, and children’s education (Jensen, 2013). Other studies have explored WhatsApp groups used by mothers as an integral part of the school community, noting their role in reinforcing “intensive motherhood”. While these groups provide support, research also highlights their potential for fostering rivalry among members (Lyons, 2020; Mackenzie & Zhao, 2021; Trudeet al., 2021). Despite potential conflicts, these groups have proven to be crucial sources of information, practical assistance, and emotional support for their mothers. However, while these online mothers’ groups offer significant support and a sense of community, they can also create an environment that pressures members to conform to “good mothering” standards. This can lead to constant vigilance and preoccupation with school and parenting matters, as well as informal comparisons among members. Such dynamics can negatively impact parents’ psychological well-being, increase anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, and negatively affect self-esteem.

While recent research has mainly focused on WhatsApp, the themes of intensive motherhood and increased connectivity around school-related issues through digital groups resonate strongly in Greece, where platforms like Viber are prominent. Consequently, given the crucial role that Viber plays for Greek mothers in exchanging information, seeking support, and building communities, this paper addresses a notable research gap in this area. Viber groups offer Greek mothers a vital space to connect with others facing similar challenges and foster shared experiences, knowledge, and emotions. Intensive motherhood often brings immense pressure to meet high care standards and dedicate extensive time and energy to child-rearing. While digital platforms can intensify this pressure by exposing mothers to a deluge of often-conflicting advice regarding their children’s school lives, these groups also serve as a powerful source of support and empowerment. Through these, mothers find understanding, share concerns, and receive practical guidance. Moreover, participation in digital communities can combat feelings of isolation and cultivate a much-needed sense of belonging.

Findings

An analysis of interviews with mothers in rural Argolida revealed that the use of Viber became a ritual experience. In anthropology, rituals are defined as recurring social practices that are generally performed at specific intervals, which signify moments of transition in individuals’ lives (Rothenbuhler, 1998; Couldry, 2003). These practices significantly influenced the ritual experience, frequently evoking powerful emotions in participants such as acceptance, respect, pleasure, and sadness. In this qualitative research, mothers were involved in specific social, cultural, and physical contexts. Within this group, communication serves both as information and support. These communication rituals signify shifts in the mothers’ emotional states and social standing. Through verbal and non-verbal interactions, mothers experience acceptance, solidarity, understanding, and support from their friends. This involvement also builds confidence, as they learn to handle potential conflicts. “My son started school this year, and I hadn’t had any other conversation with the other mothers. Now, Georgia has set up a group, and we messaged each other to get us all in [the group]. We talk often, almost every day,” said Niki, the mother of one of the boys in class.

In this Viber group, mothers form a supportive community, exchange information about school life, share ideas, chat, coordinate daily tasks, and openly discuss the joys and challenges of motherhood. “I often find myself asking questions about what I don’t know,” said Katerina, mother of a seven-year-old girl at the school. “I learn a lot just by talking and spending time with other mothers.” Through consistent text and audio exchanges, this app cultivates a strong sense of community and “digital coexistence”, empowering mothers to face the challenges of motherhood. Mothers particularly need communication and social connections, as motherhood frequently brings significant changes to daily life and existing social relationships. The Viber group offers an important way of sustaining and reinforcing these social bonds as well as navigating the difficulties associated with being a mother. “It’s so helpful that we’re all together, building friendships with other moms,” explained Natalia, the youngest mom in the class. “Honestly, we’re a small, gossipy group I probably wouldn’t have chosen to hang out with at first. But they have helped me immensely, many times. I feel comfortable asking them anything, not just about school”.

Digital platforms such as Viber can significantly impact users’ mental health, both positively and negatively. While constant exposure to information and social comparison can trigger anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, these platforms offer vital avenues for maintaining social connections and receiving support. This is especially beneficial for mothers who may experience isolation or have limited opportunities for in-person interactions. “It was hard at first, I didn’t know what to do. And there, fortunately, with the other mums I got courage, I found some solutions to move on,” shared Gianna. However, not all the interactions were positive. Dina, for instance, found that this group communication could sometimes create tension, stating, “I get angry with some moms, and I can’t stand some of the lies they tell.”.

Mothers in this study, as mentioned previously, often engaged in interpersonal relationships to provide mutual information and support on issues related to their children’s schooling. This communication manifests itself in various ways, such as sharing information about schoolwork, discussing and commenting on events that occur in the classroom, and sharing information about what is happening in other schools. In addition, mothers often coordinate their actions to organize school events, excursions, and other activities. “Every day, I check in with the mothers about homework. There’s a sense of security I get from talking to them, and while it can be tiring, I find it satisfying.”, said Maria. Mothers commonly describe their communication as a team effort, built on mutual support and empathy. As one mother, Maria, puts it, “If we don’t talk at some point, I miss them”. She even jokes, “It’s become an addiction. I often go in and check if a girl has asked something, if she has posted something, and I haven’t seen it.” However, it is not uncommon for disagreements or conflicting views to arise. In these cases, communication may be limited to silence or the exchange of symbolic messages, such as emoticons, indicating the existence of conflicts or the inability to resolve disagreements. “I know that they may comment behind my back, sometimes I don’t speak, I send an emoticon or just make a warm comment”, says Dina, mother of a boy. Therefore, it turns out that this form of communication between first-grade mothers is an important social event, as it helps to create a network of support and solidarity, but at the same time, it also highlights the challenges related to managing disagreements and resolving conflicts. The analysis of conversations with mothers revealed their need to create and maintain social ties with each other, strengthen contacts outside the school context, and provide mutual support for the issues and problems they face. At the same time, cases of tensions and disagreements were highlighted, which were nevertheless accompanied by efforts to resolve them.

Discussion

This study investigated the multifaceted role of Viber in facilitating communication and fostering social connections among the mothers of first-grade primary school children in Greece. The findings indicate that Viber has become a ritualized daily experience for these mothers, influencing their emotional states and social interactions. The research revealed that the mothers’ Viber group serves as a crucial platform for information exchange related to school life, sharing ideas about motherhood, and strengthening bonds through solidarity and support. This aligns with broader trends, especially post-COVID-19, where digital platforms have become indispensable tools for maintaining and enhancing communication within educational communities. The pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of digital tools for communication among parents, equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate new technologies.

A key aspect of digital communication is the interplay between verbal and non-verbal cues. While text messages convey information and ideas through written language, mothers extensively use emoticons, memes, and stickers to express their emotions, attitudes, and reactions. These non-verbal cues are particularly significant as they often offer a more spontaneous and authentic reflection of emotional states, contributing to a rich and nuanced emotional communication tapestry among mothers. The instantaneous nature of Viber, enabling real-time message exchange and fostering immediate interaction, further enhances dynamic communication. The study also highlighted how the Viber group combats feelings of isolation and cultivates a sense of belonging among mothers, particularly beneficial for those who may have limited in-person interaction opportunities. The mothers reported feeling a sense of security and support from talking to each other. This reinforces the existing literature on online communities, providing vital avenues for social connection and support, addressing potential anxieties and feelings of inadequacy associated with motherhood.

However, the research also acknowledged the potential for tensions and conflicts within these digital groups. Disagreements can lead to limited communication, often expressed through silence or symbolic messages such as emoticons, indicating unresolved issues. This observation also highlighted the potential for rivalry and pressure to conform to “good mothering” standards, potentially impacting psychological well-being. Despite these challenges, the mothers in this study demonstrated efforts to resolve disagreements, emphasizing the group’s overall role in creating a network of support and solidarity. Ultimately, the consistent use of Viber cultivates a strong sense of community and “digital coexistence” among mothers, empowering them to navigate the challenges of motherhood. The platform provides a reliable tool for sharing information, experiences, and feelings, thus positively impacting mental health and well-being by fostering a sense of belonging and reducing anxiety and loneliness. This study fills a notable research gap regarding Viber’s role in Greek mothers, demonstrating its crucial function in facilitating essential communication, interaction, and social connection.

Conclusions

This study examined the exchange of text messages and emoticons as a form of non-verbal communication between mothers of first-grade students in a primary school in a rural region in Greece. Based on interviews with them, the paper noticed that communication in the Viber group contributed to understanding, expressing feelings, and avoiding misunderstandings among them. In addition, being a member of a mothers’ Viber group can have a positive impact on their mental health and well-being. The sense of belonging to a community and the ability to share their thoughts and feelings with other mothers can help them address the anxiety and loneliness that often accompany motherhood. Hence, by focusing on mothers’ Viber use, this study demonstrated how the platform facilitates essential communication, interaction, and social connections, thereby supporting and empowering mothers. Viber groups can be reliable tools to meet this need, providing a safe and supportive environment for sharing information, experiences, and feelings.