Method and system for controlling message transmission for a communication group

An electronic device, comprising:

• a display;
• a touch-sensitive surface;
• one or more processors;
• memory;
• and
• one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
• receiving a user instruction to activate a message-on-hold mode for a first communication group comprising the first user account and one or more other user accounts that are distinct from the first user account;
• in response to receiving the user instruction, activating the message-on-hold mode for the first communication group at the first client device;
• while the message-on-hold mode remains activated for the first communication group at the first client device:
• monitoring usage of the first client device by a user;
• detecting a first change in the usage of the first client device;
• and
• in response to detecting the first change in the usage of the first client device:
• in accordance with a determination that the first change in the usage of the first client device does not match first interaction criteria with respect to the first application or the first communication group, preventing transmission of communications in the first communication group to the first client device;
• and
• in accordance with a determination that the first change in the usage of the first client device matches the first interaction criteria with respect to the first application or the first communication group, temporarily enabling transmission of communications in the first communication group to the first client device without deactivating the message-on-hold mode for the first communication group.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:

• receive a user instruction to activate a message-on-hold mode for a first communication group comprising the first user account and one or more other user accounts that are distinct from the first user account;
• in response to receiving the user instruction, activate the message-on-hold mode for the first communication group at the first client device;
• while the message-on-hold mode remains activated for the first communication group at the first client device:
• monitor usage of the first client device by a user;
• detect a first change in the usage of the first client device;
• and
• in response to detecting the first change in the usage of the first client device:
• in accordance with a determination that the first change in the usage of the first client device does not match first interaction criteria with respect to the first application or the first communication group, preventing transmission of communications in the first communication group to the first client device;
• and
• in accordance with a determination that the first change in the usage of the first client device matches the first interaction criteria with respect to the first application or the first communication group, temporarily enabling transmission of communications in the first communication group to the first client device without deactivating the message-on-hold mode for the first communication group.