Former UK prime minister blames WhatsApp for social decline, “collapse of civilisation"

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has turned a personal messaging mishap into a broader critique of modern digital life, warning that apps like WhatsApp—while convenient—are contributing to a decline in real-world human interaction.

In his trademark blend of satire and reflection, Johnson suggests that society’s obsession with instant communication could be fueling everything from social withdrawal to falling birth rates, even hinting it could lead to the “collapse of civilization,” Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Writing in his column, Johnson humorously reflected on society’s dependence on instant messaging, describing WhatsApp as “our personal electronic jail” and likening its addictive qualities to “junkie behaviour.” He explored the app’s role in modern communication, noting its power to capture everything from political drama to everyday gossip,

“It is now more than 15 years since the invention of this astonishing means of instant written communication,” Johnson wrote. “We have become almost blasé about the advantages.”

Recounting a particularly awkward moment during his time as Prime Minister, Johnson shared: “Until one day, when I was out of the country, I started getting loads of congratulatory messages from colleagues saying how much they were enjoying my message on the WhatsApp group. I looked with horror at my first and only contribution to this political conversation, and it read, ‘Hi, babe, I am at the duty free.’”

The message, mistakenly sent to the Conservative Party’s group chat, remained visible to the entire parliamentary party, he admitted, as he didn’t know how to delete it at the time.

He also recounted another blunder involving BBC’s former political editor, Laura Kuenssberg. “When the whole thing popped up on my WhatsApp, I at first thought she was just being decent and civilised and professional… Only with reluctance was I persuaded it was a mistake, and that in all fairness we really ought to let her know.”

Johnson lamented the decline of face-to-face interaction among younger generations, suggesting modern communication habits may be partly responsible for falling birth rates. “They don't go to parties, not as much as we did... I bet they are on WhatsApp – flirting, chatting, bonding – without meeting face to face.”

By Vafa Guliyeva