Texting: It's Not Just For Children Anymore
- by John Capone , January 11, 2010
The stereotypes of the teenager whose thumbs are surgically attached to his or her mobile device and the older parent who sees the same as a phone without wires are, like most stereotypes, not entirely inaccurate -- but also not very reliable either.
According to new research by mobile messaging company Tekelec, 60% of those over 45 were found to be just as likely to use SMS as they were to make voice calls from their mobile device. The survey of 500 people in North America and Europe also found that text messaging is gaining on email as the preferred means of daily international communication, with 32% of responses across all ages preferring SMS, compared to 33% for email. And nearly a third of respondents said their use of SMS would increase in 2010.
In addition, more than 80 percent of respondents across all age groups thought they would get a quicker response from a text than from an email or voice message. Women preferred to let their fingers do the talking, with 40% describing themselves as 'mainly texter,' compared to 30% of men.
One more difference between the sexes: women were more likely to engage in TV voting via text, with 25% versus just 14% of men engaging in such behavior.
But those under 35 were the most likely age group to vote via text, with 16% of them saying they do so, followed by 9% of 35- to-44-year-olds, and 7% of those 45 and older. However, 35- to-44-year-olds are the largest consumers of news and sports by text, at 18% compared to 17% for those under 35, and only 8% for those over 45.
This is a very important article for those who are trying to learn more about Mobile Marketing. As our mobile devices become more advanced we find more people using them for advanced reasons. No longer is text messaging a quick response message to get a point across but rather it is a whole way of communicating. With this said it only make since that adults are picking up on this once thought of trend and using it to become more efficient, diversified and even buy their latest products.
Dan
My Mobile River
www.mymobileriver.com
Though this study might be something to get excited about if you work in the mobile field, but the data/age bracket cited is misleading. I really don't see 60% of people over 50 years of age using texting as much as a normal telephone call. It might be 60% age 45-48. But I bet it drops significantly by age 50, 52, 55 etc. The "digital divide" age in 2010 is now about 50. I see a big problem in tech adoption in the 50-55 age bracket, and after 55 adoption really begins to drop off. Tech and mobile still has a substantial barrier with user instructions and customer support, and as such, has left many a digital divide baby in the dark.
Saw a clever email photo recently of a high tech bus in Japan, followed by a bus in India - a rickshaw. Guess where much of the U.S. customer service is located? Yes, the country with the rickshaw. It says a lot about the U.S. committment to customer support, education, and adoption.
Stephen Dolle
www.DolleCommunications.com
This probably bodes well for MMS. If we're now at the point where *all* of us are texting (not just the youngsters), than marketers (regardless of the demo they are targeting) have to take a serious look at MMS. Text 'mogreet' to 21534 to see this in action.