Need to know
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 losing the art of conversation as we’re talking less due to the rise of smartphones 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.
- Daily spoken words fell by 28% between 2005 and 2019, which coincided with a boom of smartphones. 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: “Speaking less means spending less time connecting with others.”
- All age groups were affected by the drop in words, but Gen Z participants aged 25 and under showed a steeper decline in speech. This is thought to be due to their greater use of technology.
- The study found that in 2019, people spoke an average of about 12,700 words per day compared with 15,900 back in 2005. Valeria fears we may be losing vital social skills by our dependence on technology.
- She said that losing 300 words per day “does not require a long conversation”, adding: “Small interactions can make a big difference.”
- READ THE FULL STORY: Humans talking less due to rise of smartphones – and scientists are worried
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