Are Phone Calls Obsolete? A Light-hearted Look
Camilo Ríos, a 21-year-old engineering student, is the poster child for a curious phenomenon that’s sweeping through young adults like a viral TikTok dance: the outright phobia, nay, aversion, toward phone calls. Yes, that’s right. To Camilo, actually answering a call is about as appealing as eating a bowl of nails. Why? Because, for him, communicating via text is just so much easier—a digital smorgasbord of convenience where one can respond while wearing pajamas, sipping on whatever was in the fridge, at their own pace.
The Rise of the Text Messaging Generation
And can we blame him? Apparently, a survey from the UK found that a whopping quarter of 18-34-year-olds are actively practicing their ignore-athon skills and prefer to leave their phones ringing into eternity. Not answering the phone became more common than changing the toilet roll—an accomplishment in itself, really.
When Did Conversations Become Optional?
According to global data from Bank My Cell, 75% of millennials and centennials see phone calls as interruptions—even as annoying as that awkward moment when you accidentally click “reply all” on an office email. It’s not just Camilo; it’s a whole generation of ‘text warriors’ who would rather type out a dissertation than engage in the vigorous art of conversation. They prefer texting, where replying to messages can be put off until they’ve finished their fifth cat video of the day. Who needs instant feedback when you can create a gripping narrative filled with GIFs and emoticons?
The Sociocultural Shift – What Happened?
As sociologist Edimer Latorre points out, this trend sheds light on a fascinating evolution—or devolution—of human communication. We’ve transitioned from ‘homo sapiens’—those rational thinkers of yore—to ‘homo videns,’ or the ‘man who sees.’ Why bother with lengthy explanations when an emoticon can do the job?
From Words to Emojis: The New Language
Let’s face it: who needs to describe feelings when a simple smiley face or a playful meme can suffice? Camilo and his friends have a WhatsApp group where communication resembles a stand-up comedy club more than a conventional discussion: audio messages, memes, and GIFs dominate the landscape, eliminating the necessity for talking. It’s a veritable buffet of brevity—who knew you could express existential dread with a single ‘crying laughing’ emoji?
The Attention Economy – Quick and Concise or Bust!
Doctor Sergio Llanos from Universidad del Norte argues that the ‘attention economy’ has shaped a new way of interacting. Long-form conversations? Heavens no! The pressure of formality is out; what’s in is the ability to reply with minimal effort and maximum impact—because obviously, a glancing acknowledgment is far superior to a lengthy dialogue.
The Paradox of Hyperconnectivity
Ironically, despite being so hyperconnected, many young folks feel more alone than ever. Latorre’s term ‘e-islands’ sums up this phenomenon perfectly. Young people feast on digital engagement but can be found strolling through the metaphorical desert of loneliness, perched at dinner tables engrossed in their phones rather than each other. If only those appetizers could talk—oh wait, with a meme they can.
Control and Anxiety in the Digital Age
The emotional landscape of this digital communication is complex. Text messages allow for a degree of control, as young adults can manage interactions with the fine-tuning prowess that would make any orchestra conductor weep with pride. But this comes at a price: a surge of social anxiety fueled by the very same screens, which can turn engaging conversations into a high-stakes game of ‘who responded the fastest.’
Final Thoughts
So, are phone calls really on their way to extinction? Perhaps. Or maybe they’ll make a triumphant return, like bell-bottom jeans or fidget spinners. Until then, if you want to reach out to a young person, the advice is simple: skip the call, pick up your thumbs, and draft a message worthy of Shakespeare—or a meme that could go viral. Who are we to judge?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to answer my phone. Just kidding—who does that anymore?
Camilo Ríos is 21 years old, he is an engineering student and, like many young people of his generation, he does not remember the last time he answered a call on his cell phone. For him, the idea of talking on the phone seems almost archaic.
“It’s uncomfortable, I don’t like it. I prefer to send a text message or use the chat.” Camilo is a clear example of a trend that is growing among young people: the preference for written communication over oral communication, especially when it comes to interacting over the phone.
A survey conducted in the UK in April this year revealed that a quarter of 18-34 year olds never answer the phone. According to the results, more than 25% of respondents stated that they prefer to ignore calls and respond later via text messages.
Likewise, globally, a study by the Bank My Cell platform found that 75% of millennials and centennials avoid calls, stating that they consider them an interruption in their daily routine. Results that show that this is a trend that has been growing in recent years.
In Camilo’s case, answering the phone is not an isolated whim. For him, the calls are invasive and demand attention that he is not willing to give up at any time.
“Sometimes I’m in class or doing something, and a call interrupts you. With a message, you see it and answer when you can, without the pressure of having to be available instantly,” he told EL HERALDO.
Young people’s preference for answering text messages instead of answering phone calls is a reflection of profound sociocultural changes.
The sociologist Edimer Latorre highlights that this trend is related to the transition from a rational and linear model of thinking, characteristic of “homo sapiens”, to a more visual and emotional logic, defined by the Italian thinker Giovanni Sartori as “homo videns”. or the man who sees.
“We live in an era where images have displaced the weight of critical and argumentative thinking. Young people no longer need to give long explanations or reflect deeply, just an emoticon, a GIF or an image is enough to convey what they feel.”
In this context, text messages and chats allow communication that does not require long arguments.
“The young person does not want to be tied to the formality or immediacy of a call. “He prefers the freedom that the written message gives him, where he can respond at his own pace, with a few words or even with an image that expresses his feelings.”
Emoticons and stickers have replaced verbal reasoning, becoming a language of this generation.
“These simplified images eliminate the need to argue or explain. In a single icon, what previously required phrases and time for reflection is summarized.”
Camilo Ríos reinforces this explanation. “My friends and I have a WhatsApp group where we talk about everything. Sometimes one sends an audio, another responds with a meme, and so on we go. You don’t need a call for that,” he points out.
Young people have adopted an increasingly concrete and fragmented form of communication. The doctor in communication from the Universidad del Norte, Sergio Llanos, explains that this is related to the concept of attention economy.
“Messaging systems allow for asynchronous, more fragmented communication, and this influences how young people interact. For them, long messages, whether text or audio, are unnecessary.”
Llanos points out that this generation has grown up in an environment where speed is a constant, which has shaped their way of expressing themselves.
“They tend to be more concrete and direct in their use of language. They do not embellish their messages or go as deep as previous generations, because they have lived in a time where everything happens much faster.”
Although there is not a completely direct relationship between the attention economy and the preference for text messages over phone calls, the social communicator also highlights that there are indications that the two are connected.
“Young people are not as accustomed to communication that requires a lot of attention, such as listening in detail or having a long conversation. “They prefer the brief and the immediate.”
The rise of instant messaging platforms has transformed the way young people communicate, creating a paradox that sociologist Edimer Latorre calls ‘e-islands’.
In an in-depth analysis of this phenomenon, Latorre observes how young people, although permanently connected through their devices, experience increasing loneliness.
“They are hyperconnected, but alone. I see them in groups, during daily rituals like lunch or dinner, without leaving their cell phones. It is an incessant circularity of information, where repetition becomes new.”
The transformation of communication is not only manifested in social isolation, but also in the emotional management that these media cause.
Sociologist Edimer Latorre says that the use of text messages and digital platforms is linked to a form of control over interactions, fueled by social anxiety.
“This hyperconnectivity produces anxiety. “We are facing human beings highly emotionally managed by algorithms.”
