Before Saudi families gather in person, much of their interaction already unfolds in digital spaces, particularly family WhatsApp groups that serve as a modern extension of the traditional majlis. For many, these group chats have become a central part of maintaining kinship ties, keeping relatives connected across distances and generations.

The majlis, a physical space historically used for socializing and exchanging news in Saudi culture, remains significant. However, as internet access approaches universality in the Kingdom, digital platforms increasingly supplement in-person gatherings. According to the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission, internet penetration stood at 99 percent in 2024, with mobile phones accounting for 99.4 percent of internet access. WhatsApp leads as the most widely used application, engaging 90.9 percent of internet users in 2023, surpassing platforms such as Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok.

Within families, the importance of these group chats lies less in frequency of use and more in the content and quality of interactions. Announcements of births, engagements, and condolences are commonly shared, while practical details like addresses for gatherings are circulated. The groups often serve as informal family archives, with older photographs and memories resurfacing through shared images. Conversations can quickly broaden from a message directed at one individual to involve multiple generations.

For individuals like 34-year-old Abdullah Al-Harbi, who relocated for work, the family WhatsApp group offers an accessible way to stay connected to everyday family life. He notes that, unlike phone calls which often carry a specific purpose, the group chat provides glimpses into ordinary moments—photos from his grandmother’s home or lighthearted remarks from family meals—that foster a sense of presence even from afar.

Research conducted within Saudi Arabia indicates that digital contact through social media reinforces rather than replaces face-to-face family ties. Users employ these platforms to check on relatives, extend congratulations and condolences, and share practical information. However, studies also highlight challenges, including the spread of rumors and the exclusion of some older relatives who are less active on or unfamiliar with such apps.

Findings from academic studies emphasize that young people tend to view WhatsApp groups as an additional space for familial connection and self-expression. While younger members typically engage with brief messages, photos, reactions, and memes, older generations may contribute longer messages or formal announcements. Grandparents who use smartphones have emerged as notable participants, often sharing morning prayers, voice notes, or photographs, sometimes without accompanying explanations.

For 27-year-old Lama Al-Qahtani, voice notes from her grandmother are among the primary reasons she seldom mutes the family group chat. Her grandmother’s messages, often directed at one person but disseminated to all, draw attention and evoke a collective listening experience. Voice notes also help bridge generational differences in digital literacy, allowing family members less comfortable with typing to partake actively in conversations dominated by screen-based communication.

In sum, Saudi family WhatsApp groups function as a dynamic digital majlis, complementing traditional social mechanisms by fostering continuous and layered communication among relatives scattered across locations and ages.