Humans speaking much less as a result of rise of smartphones — and scientists are apprehensive
Boffins have revealed we are speaking 338 fewer words per day as we’re using smart phone apps for everything from asking for directions to ordering coffee
Humans are relying on technology to communicate so are speaking less(Image: Getty Images)
Humans are losing the art of conversation as we’re talking less due to the rise of smart phones and messaging apps, boffins fear. A new study has found we’re speaking an average of 338 fewer words a day, with Gen Z the worst affected.
That works out at 120,000 a year, representing thousands of lost face-to-face interactions. It found that daily spoken words fell by 28% between 2005 and 2019, which coincided with a boom of smart phones.
Scientists behind the research say many of the conversations we have are now done digitally. Co-author Valeria Pfeifer, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, said: “Whether typed conversations provide the same social benefits as spoken conversations is still an open question, and one that future research needs to address.
“Speaking less means spending less time connecting with others. Research has consistently linked loneliness with negative outcomes for both mental and physical health.
“At the same time, everyday conversation is associated with greater well-being. If people are having fewer conversations, they may be losing both the immediate emotional benefits of social interaction and the long-term benefits of maintaining strong relationships.”
Valerie and her co-author Professor Matthias Mehl from the University of Arizona analysed audio data collected from more than 2,000 people whose daily lives were sampled through short recordings of their natural environments.
It found that in 2019, people spoke an average of about 12,700 words per day compared with 15,900 back in 2005.
All age groups were affected by the drop in words, but Gen Z participants aged 25 and under showed a steeper decline in speech, thought to be due to their greater use of technology.
And because spoken language involves tone of voice, timing and emotional cues, Valeria fears we may be losing those vital social skills by our dependence on technology.
She said: “Humans have relied on spoken language for more than 200,000 years, and we do not yet know whether a shift toward more digital communication comes with social costs.
“Our findings highlight the need to better understand how both spoken and written communication affect loneliness, health and wellbeing.”
She said that losing 300 words per day “does not require a long conversation”, adding: “Small interactions can make a big difference.
“It could be chatting briefly with the barista making your coffee, stopping by a colleague’s desk to ask about their weekend or calling a family member to check in.
“These small moments of conversation help maintain social bonds and may help slow or reverse the loss of everyday spoken interaction.”
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