Why Generation Z Prefers Texting Over Calling
These days, Generation Z always prefers texting over calling. They feel comfortable typing thousands of words instead of listening to someone’s voice over the phone. Now, you must be wondering why. Why do kids today prefer texting over calling so much? Studies show that around one-third of kids prefer texting 100 times a day, which is a pretty huge number.
The Rise of Text Messaging
Focus group studies conducted with teenagers aged between 12 and 17 years reveal that text messaging is significantly more common among kids trying to communicate with one another, even more than using social networking sites, e-mails, and direct talking.
- Over 75% of teens are on their cell phones, up from just 45% in 2004.
- Among these, around 88% use text messages to communicate, a jump from 51% in 2006.
- Half of the age group of 12 and 17 send more than 50 messages daily, with around 15% sending over 200 messages per day.
The preference for texting varies with age and gender, but younger teens consistently show a strong inclination towards texting.
Texting vs. Calling: The Numbers
Voice calls are not at risk of going extinct, but millennials prefer not to speak on the phone. According to the teens, they regard phone calls as intrusive in their lives. Nielsen data from a few years back showed that the average monthly voice minutes used by youngsters dropped from roughly 1200 minutes in 2008 to 900 minutes in 2010.
At the same time, texting among those aged 18 to 24 doubled, climbing from 600 monthly texts to around 1400. Even though the Nielsen data is not new, it clearly indicates that the transformation from calling to texting started earlier than anticipated.
The Appeal of Free Messaging Apps
With so many new and free messaging apps available, kids prefer chatting to calling. Chatting apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, and more are taking full advantage of teenagers’ inclination towards messaging. These apps introduce new emojis daily, which are colorful and attractive, and can better express emotions through texts. Moreover, people can video call their loved ones through these same apps, something impossible with basic calling features.
Avoiding Phone Anxiety
It may seem silly to older readers, but phone anxiety is prevalent among Gen Z. Texting allows people to communicate without the traditional small talk that comes with phone calls, which is incredibly appealing for younger, busier people. Texting also provides a record that they can refer to later, which is helpful for those with poor memories and enables them to plan out their wording.
Embracing Technology
Unlike older generations, teenagers are always attracted to modern technologies and want to explore what the tech world has to offer. With primary calling, they get nothing exciting. But, with texting, they get to explore technical miracles that were unimaginable a few years back. They can send video clips, audio clips, important documents, and contact details through chatting apps. These features make texting more attractive than calling.
Ensuring Messages Are Received
When you call someone, if the receiver fails to pick up, they won’t hear your message until they get another call from you. But with texting, the person will see your message whenever they pick up their phone. This is yet another reason for teens to prefer texting over calling.
Relevant Quotes and Statistics
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, “92% of teens go online daily, and 24% report that they are online ‘almost constantly.'” Another study by Common Sense Media found that “teens spend an average of nine hours a day using media for entertainment.” These statistics underscore the pervasive nature of digital communication among teenagers.
Anecdotes and Storytelling
I remember a time when my niece, a typical Gen Z teenager, would prefer to text me rather than call. One day, I decided to call her to catch up. To my surprise, she didn’t pick up. A few minutes later, she texted me, “Hey, what’s up?” I realized then how much she, like many of her peers, valued the convenience and comfort of texting over the directness of a phone call.