Mobile Media

Sara Kimberley, mediaweek.co.uk, 17 December 2009, 3:45pm

Older generation embraces texting, research reveals

LONDON - Texting is becoming as widespread among older people as it is among children, with new research claiming 60% of over-45s are as likely to text as make voice calls on their mobile phones.

Texting: being embraced by the older generation

Texting is becoming as widespread among older people as it is among children, with new research claiming 60% of over-45s are as likely to text as make voice calls on their mobile phones.

The research claims texting is becoming more prevalent among older people, with 44% of 35 to 44-year-olds and 14% of 45-plus ages sending more than 30 text messages every week.

However, texting still remains the most popular among 25 to 34-year olds, with 40% of this age range more likely to use their mobile phones for texts rather than talking.

Conducted by Tekelec, a provider of mobile messaging solutions, across three groups; under-35s, 35 to 44-year-olds and 45-plus, the study shows texting is more popular among women than men.

More than 40% of women describe themselves as mainly "texters", compared to 30% of men who do so. The report revealed this can partly be attributed to the popularity of TV voting via SMS, for shows such as The X Factor, with 25% of women claiming to have participated, compared with only 14% of men.

Of the 487 respondents surveyed, 80% revealed they would get a quicker response from a text message than from an e-mail or voice message. E-mail messaging is only 1% ahead of text messaging as the preferred communication method among all ages, with 33% preferring e-mail communication against 32% who prefer SMS.

You must log in to use Clip & Save

All Comments

Lexy Hall - 17 December 2009

When my grandmother turned 72 we gave her a modern but quite simple mobile phone. We said it would be useful for her to have if she is out shopping, gets lost, need to reach us when on the go etc. Although hesitating, she thanked us and turned on her new device.

Now, three years later, she can't see how she did without her mobile phone. She listens to the mp3 player when on the bus, she texted me the other day thanking for the lovely Christmas card I sent her... And it hasn't stopped with the phone. Since last year she is also on Messenger and Skype. I think this is brilliant. The learning curve for older people may be a little steep, but if you just take the time they too will enjoy the benefits of an online and mobile lifestyle.