By: Manoj Khadilkar

Texting, though popular, may no longer be the most popular method of communication among youngsters, especially between 16 to 24 year olds, the report found. But texting of course still remained more popular than voice calls. According to the study, while 58% of the people had communicated via text messaging on a daily basis in 2011, only 47% had made a daily mobile call. In 2012, it was reported that UK mobile users were more likely to text someone instead make a phone call. Only 47% made a phone call daily against 58% of people texted every day. Youngersters were more likely than elders to think it acceptable to share information via text.

The study found 61% of 16-24 year old people thought that to share good news through open social networking sites was a good idea, but only 39% of all UK adults believed in this communication route. More than 84% of younger group (16-24 years) used at least one of these methods on a weekly basis, more than texting on a mobile phone (80%).

The report also revealed that, among this age group, 66% used social networking, 48% instant messaging and 35% used micro-blogging sites on a weekly basis.

Ofcom’s Director of Research James Thickett has attributed the decline to the increased popularity of smartphones, which allowed people to communicate using  Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging & email.

According to him, digital & mobile technology had fundamentally changed the way people socialised with each other, offering “newer forms of communications which don’t require us to talk to each other”.

Thousands of people share their ideas on various sites was an indication that more & more people text simply because they just want to leave a message & not have to talk. Not only is it cheaper but carrying a smartphone is much more easier than a laptop.

Image Credit: Ofcom

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