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Oct 21, 2008 11:16 pm US/Central
Good Question: Why Do Some Text Rather Than Talk?
(WCCO)
The average American cell phone user sends more text messages in a month than they make phone calls. But why do people text instead of just calling?
"I text when I'm in class," said on University of Minnesota student.
"To avoid awkward or extended conversation, of course," wrote Kate Iverson.
"There are a lot of reasons why people do text instead of calling," according to Joseph Konstan, a Computer Science professor at the University of Minnesota. Konstan specializes in the interaction between human beings and technology.
According to Konstan, research has found one of the top reasons people text is to avoid interrupting others.
"I do this with my wife. She'll text me and tell me to pick up milk on my way home. I'll text her, 'when you get a minute call me.' But I don't want to interrupt her by having the phone ring," he said.
A WCCO viewer texted: "I text because I know that the person will get the message even if they're in a meeting or at class. It's easier and faster than calling."
Social protocol is another factor that Konstan points to for texting.
"Particularly with teens, texting has become part of the protocol. If I get your number at a party, I wouldn't just call right away. I might text you, if you text me back, we might agree we will talk," said Konstan.
Privacy is also a factor, according to Konstan.
One viewer explained via text: "You can text anywhere and you can't be overheard -- and you can make plans etc. even if you don't have time for a call."
"Teens are frequently texting precisely because they do not want their conversation to be heard out loud," said Konstan. "You can be sitting there, your thumbs are going, and you're sending a message about another lame evening with my parents on the couch."
Konstan pointed out that there is a generational divide on the issue of texting with people in their 30's and 40's just now getting on board the text message phenomenon.
That's one reason why Nielsen Mobile, a division of Nielsen Media Research, found over the past two years, the number of text messages sent and received is up 450 percent. The number of calls has remained steady.
Nielsen's research shows that the typical U.S. teen mobile subscriber (ages 13–17) now sends or receives 1,742 text messages per month (compared to making or receiving 231 mobile phone calls). A typical U.S. mobile subscriber sends or receives 357 text messages per month, compared to placing or receiving 204 phone calls, according to Neilsen Mobile.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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