Dad, you're not the funniest. It's kids who slay the family group chats these days

Forget dad jokes, it is the youngest in the brood who take the crown as the comics in the family.

With around 34 million British adults now part of a family group chat, humour is playing a big part these days when we are going about organising our lives, staying in touch with loved ones, and sharing important news.

The research marks the launch of the new Vodafone Togetheroffering, where customers make huge savings when adding additional unlimited mobile plans for all the family, helping them stay connected.

Used daily by 83% of families, two-thirds (66%) say the family chat is their most active group, and over half (53%) feel it helps them stay emotionally connected to loved ones. More than just a thread, the family group chat is the heartbeat of home life for many.

It's somewhere to post the in-jokes and laughs only families share, with dads often unable to resist a sideline as a stand-up.

But they are being outstripped by the youngsters, according to new research into Britons' family group chat habits conducted on behalf of Vodafone.

As many as 21% of those surveyed rated the youngest child as the funniest member of the family, edging dad into second place with 20%.

This is down to youngsters' adept usage of internet "memes" - images sometimes combined with text that have become part of our shared social media lexicon and an endless source of offbeat humour.

The research found that younger siblings were rated the most likely to share these, with more than a quarter (26%) highlighting youngsters as the "meme queens" of the family group chat.

A more unintentional source of comedy is also found in grandparents' offbeat communications.

Only 3% of family members over 65 understood common text abbreviations like "IYKYK" (if you know you know), "SMH" (shaking my head) and "NGL" (not gonna lie).

Teaming up with Vodafone, Psychologist and broadcaster Dr Linda Papadopoulos analysed the key roles played by different members of the family group chat.

"Family group chats are like a modern-day living room, a space where love, humour and the occasional chaos of family life all play out in real time," she said.

"Family chats carry the extra weight of shared history, emotion, and responsibility, from coordinating everyday logistics to providing comfort or comic relief when it's needed most."

Though they might not be the resident humourists, the study also revealed that mums are officially the backbone of the family group chat.

Sending the most messages, they drive the agenda to ensure family plans stay on track (36%), act as family historians by sharing the most throwback content (27%) and add a personal touch with long voice notes (32%) that bring the whole family closer together.

It's no surprise then that over a third of children (34%) turn to mum first for updates, cementing their role as the heart and hub of family communication.

In all, Dr Papadopoulos defined seven different roles family members take during group chats: the Joker, who diffuses tension with humour, the Meme Queen, whose response to any news includes a meme.

Then there's the Chat Captain, the Organiser, the Notification Ninja, who always responds quickly, the Historian, with a nostalgic love for family memories, the News Anchor, who is first with any breaking family updates, and the Observer, who is always present but rarely responds.

She added: "In many ways family members naturally gravitate into a role, from the Chat Captain and Historian to the Joker to the Notification Ninja, these digital dynamics reveal just how deeply wired we are for connection and belonging. Understanding these patterns can strengthen connection, improve communication and celebrate the joy (and sometimes messiness) of being a family in the digital age."

The importance of the group chat to 21st Century British life is highlighted by the research finding that nearly a quarter (23%) admit the group is their go-to source of support when they need it, and many agree that it helps them feel close to their family, especially when they are apart (48%).

Rob Winterschladen, consumer director, VodafoneThree, said: "We know families are looking for ways to save without compromising on connectivity. With Vodafone Together, unlimited mobile plans cost just £16 per month, delivering savings of over £400 on each additional line. Whether it's browsing online, video calling cousins abroad, or sharing updates in the family group chat, Vodafone Together gives families the freedom to stay in touch without worrying about data, texts or minutes. And when paired with full fibre broadband, the savings grow even further - helping families stay always connected, wherever they are."

The news comes as Vodafone announces its new Vodafone Together offering for families, where those with an existing Pay Monthly plan can add unlimited mobile plans to their account for £16 per month. Each added plan delivers savings of over £400 across two years - equivalent to £17 per month.

For those combining unlimited mobile plans with full fibre broadband, the savings grow further. A family of four can make savings of more than £600 across 12 months, while getting an unlimited mobile plan plus full-fibre broadband for the whole household.

SO WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

1. THE JOKER - They keep the chat light and laughter flowing - the emotional regulator of the group, they defuse tension with a perfectly timed one-liner. Psychologically, humour is a key form of social bonding that signals safety and shared understanding. Their quick wit reminds everyone that family life doesn't have to be perfect to be joyful, it just has to be together.

2. THE MEME QUEEN - Quick, expressive, and always emotionally spot-on, they speak in GIFs and screenshots. Using humour, irony, and imagery to create a shared emotional shorthand, known as emotional mirroring in interpersonal psychology, they can capture a feeling and reflect it back in a way everyone recognises. Their memes unite generations, keeping the family emotionally in sync.

3. CHAT CAPTAIN - The person who makes sure plans happen, messages are answered, and birthdays aren't forgotten. They often embody traits of conscientiousness and reliability, providing the group's psychological scaffolding. They give the chat a rhythm, turning good intentions into action and chaos into connection.

4. NOTIFICATION NINJA - This is the group's emotional first responder - replying fast, keeping the chat alive, and making sure no message goes ignored and everyone feels seen. Their energy keeps conversations alive, signalling that the chat (and the family) is a safe space where no message goes unanswered.

5. THE HISTORIAN - The one who digs out a 1997 holiday photo every birthday and reminds you who had the dodgy haircut. They are the keeper of collective memories - posting old photos, videos, 'remember when' moments, and family throwbacks to reflect on shared history. Their posts can trigger nostalgia, pride, or even gentle teasing, which strengthens relational bonds. In many ways, they're the group's emotional anchor, ensuring no one forgets where they came from.

6. THE NEWS ANCHOR - They connect the family to the wider world - sharing updates, headlines, and family news that keep everyone informed and involved. Their curiosity and initiative keep the chat dynamic and outward-looking, ensuring the family remains informed, not insular.

7. THE OBSERVER - Quiet but ever-present, this member serves as a steady, reassuring presence in the group. They take on the role of a secure witness, finding comfort in simply observing and staying connected, without feeling the need to steer the conversation or take the lead.

With Vodafone Together, every new mobile line comes with three months of Secure Net for free - the best set of parental controls of any major UK network*, providing peace of mind for families. Customers can unlock a range of exciting benefits via Vodafone's award-winning loyalty programme VeryMe Rewards, including exclusive prize draws and daily discounts.

For more information about Vodafone Together and its additional benefits to customers visit: Broadband & Mobile Deals | Vodafone Together | Vodafone UK