1. A server, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a multiple channel message thread module with instructions executed by the processor to: identify when participants at client devices are actively displaying a common text communication message thread at the same time to establish a participant viewing state indicative of the presence of the participants; in response to the participant viewing state, activate by the server without input from the participants an alternate communication session between the client devices in an active but mute state; supply to the client devices an alternate channel communication prompt in response to the operation to activate the alternate communication session; and complete the alternate communication session at the client devices by eliminating the mute state in response to activation of the alternate channel communication prompt by at least one participant, wherein the alternate communication session is one of an audio session and a video session.