Texts are the most popular form of communication via mobile phones. The use of texts has increased more than 7,700% over the last 10 years and continues to grow. There are over 18Billion texts messages sent every day around the world. These don’t even include the texts sent through VoIP providers, or social media channels, these are only the texts messages sent through mobile phone providers. There are over 4Billion people sending texts messages every day from their hand-held devices.

To Text or to Talk, that is the Question:

Texts messages are the most popular form of communication especially with Millennials, where over 75% of this demographic prefer to text than talk.

Texts messages are sometimes better than talking because:

• When you are struggling to get the message across or to say the right words, you can’t delete a call, you can not unsay something that has been said, but you can always delete and edit and find the perfect words for a text message

• When you are travelling (NOT Driving) you are in a rush, there is background noise, and people talking, announcements and people around that you might not want to hear what you have to say. In these times, sending a SMS gets the point across in a clear way, with no distractions or shouting so everyone can hear.

• If you are in hiding or in danger and don’t want someone to hear you, or know where you are, sending a texts message is silent. A phone call would tell the aggressor where you are. Stay safe and send a MMS!

• There are times in your life when you are just too busy to talk. This could happen every day, but you still want to send a message to your friends, family or loved ones that you are OK and thinking of them. You are too busy to have the long conversation that will no doubt happen if you call, so sending quick texts show that you have not forgotten them and saves you time.

• Group CHATS are a great way to keep a whole network, or your entire family up to date with arrangements and what is going on. If you are arranging a party, gathering or an event, setting up a group text number can keep everyone involved easily informed.

Why are texts messages so popular?

Texts messages are becoming more popular, especially with the younger generation because of several factors some of which are:

• They are less intrusive than making a call.  If you call someone and they answer, it is interrupting their day, everyone around them can hear you and can hear your full conversation.
• More convenient. It is easy, simple, quick, and direct to send texts messages. It is on the schedule of the sender and the receiver can choose to open now, later or to ignore.
• It is the easiest way of sending a message. With fewer than 25% of people opening and listening to voicemail messages it is sometimes important to get that message across in a quick and efficient manner. Leaving a voice message takes longer on both sides of the conversation to use, so send quick SMS!

Why make the call instead of Texts Messages?

Whilst sending texts is more popular with the younger generation, the over 50’s still prefer to talk. Hearing the tone of the voice and the emotion within can mean the world to some people. A text message is good for communicating some things but hearing the voice of someone that you have not spoken to for a long time, or a loved one can reassure, comfort, and build trust.

Speaking to your family and friends, even in a quick conversation shows more love and affection than short texts messages. Do you remember the days when you had to hand write your “Thank you” cards, or your Christmas cards? That personal touch is missing from text messages.

They can convey instructions, information and useful content in quick, efficient ways, but when you want to have a long conversation, when you need that human touch, texts messages just do not have the functionality.

Check out : 6 Reasons you should Call rather than Text