Why Millennials Prefer Text Messages Over Phone Calls

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For most young people and teenagers, text messages are more convenient than phone calls, as they allow them to send pictures alongside texts and voice notes.

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With our busy lives and fluctuating work schedules, we have less time to call a friend, making phone calls now reserved for important news in our lives, which can often be complicated and difficult.

Phone calls mean bad news

A recent survey showed that a quarter of people aged 18 to 34 never answer the phone. They say they ignore the ringing, respond via text messages, or look up the number online if they don’t recognize it.

The survey also found that nearly 70% of people aged 18 to 34 prefer text messages over phone calls.

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Interestingly, for older generations, talking on the phone is natural. Additionally, more than half of young people who responded to the survey admitted they believe an unexpected phone call means bad news, which can lead them to fear the worst when their phone rings.

A more polite way to communicate

Not talking on the phone doesn’t mean that young people aren’t in touch with their friends. Chats buzz throughout the day with a mix of regular messages and voice notes, and many of these conversations now take place on social media, where it’s easier to send pictures alongside texts.

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The survey found that 37% of people aged 18 to 34 say voice notes are their preferred way of communicating. In comparison, only 1% of people aged 35 to 54 prefer voice messages over calls.

Most respondents agree that a voice note is like talking on the phone but better, as it’s considered a more polite way to communicate. Similarly, text messages and voice notes allow young people to engage in conversations at their own pace, giving them the chance to provide more thoughtful responses.

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Many studies suggest that anxiety around real-time conversations, potential embarrassment, uncertainty of responses, and the pressure to reply immediately are factors that make some people dislike talking on the phone.

Phone calls are more exposed and require a higher level of intimacy, while text messages allow communication without feeling vulnerable.

Similarly, many teenagers avoid voice calls because they take too long and prevent them from completing their tasks.