AT&T recently conducted a survey to see how text messaging is affecting the modern dating realm, and the results are complex. At least forty percent of texters between the ages of 18-55 who are dating or in relationships believe that text messaging plays a significant or very significant role in their relationships, and not all of it necessarily positive.
"People have discovered that there are moments when just the right text, sent at just the right time, can go a long way to keeping romance alive," said Alecia Bridgwater, director of Messaging for AT&T Wireless. "We wanted to understand more deeply how our customers were using text messaging in this way, and our study turned up some interesting insights."
While AT&T conducted the study for marketing purposes, they acknowledge the results aren't entirely in their favor. It found that in some ways text messaging provides an easier approach to making--and keeping--a love connection. One 26-year-old who participated said, "I spend a ton of time texting every day. I think it's much easier to flirt via text message than in person because you have a moment to think of a cute, flirty, creative response without being embarrassed about what the other person will think."
According to the survey, roughly sixty-eight percent of texters admitted to sending a "love note" or "flirty" message. Twenty-eight percent indicated that they text at least three times a day with a significant other. Both of which suggest a great deal of people send out "sweet nothings" on their cell phones just about whenever the mood strikes.
Also found was that twenty-six percent agreed that someone would be more likely to accept a first date with them if they have exchanged text messages first. Thirty-four percent agreed they would feel more comfortable if they received a text from a romantic interest shortly prior to the first date.
The inverse of these findings, however, show that texting can create a great deal of uncertainty and frustration. Eighty-four percent agreed that text messages can sometimes be misunderstood by a date or suitor. Twenty-four percent said the biggest turnoff when texting with a date is a slow response; however, eighty-two percent said they answer a text message immediately or as quickly as possible. As common as the cell phone may seem as a "tool of love," about a third of texters who are dating or in relationships said they would get upset if their romantic interest would respond to a wireless call while on a date, although fourty-four percent admitted to answering their cell phones while on a date.
Age played a huge role in the findings as well. Thirty-seven percent of respondents who are 18-35 years old said they text at least three times a day with their significant other compared with twenty-two percent of those who are 36-55. Seventy-four percent of those surveyed who are 18-35 have
flirted via text messaging compared with sixty percent of those who are 36-55.
Text messaging is still a recent phenomena in human evolution. While it is certainly changing how relationships and dating function today, at this point texting still hasn't replaced the basic human need to communicate directly as much as possible. Eighty-four percent of cell phone users agree that text messages can be misunderstood, and just under the majority (forty percent) say text messages play a role in their relationships. Where these numbers will be in ten years from now will be very fascinating to see.
Read More Articles at WeEarth.com!
1 comment:
Post a Comment