What happened to the good ole’ days of the phone call? For the majority of my life, when two people wanted to communicate, this was the de facto medium. It was fast, relatively easy, and personal (see my earlier post on the evolution on personal communication).
But in modern times, the youth of today (specifically the Millennial Generation which, for the sake of this post, encompasses kids 15-25) encounter numerous options for how to best communicate with their peers. I have identified the three primary communication platforms that are most used among this demographic, and I have analyzed each source with the same criteria. Ultimately, you will observe that there are specific circumstances that come into play when deciding which to use.
Before I jump into my explanations, I must espouse some general truths for how the youth communicates:
1.) They are lazy- communication should be easy to use and can’t take multiple steps
2.) They are impatient- instant feedback is a top priority
3.) They are cryptic (and again- lazy)- messages are characters not sentences
If you review the following three platforms through these filters, you will have a greater understanding for why they are used.
Let’s begin with EMAIL. This once technologically advanced tool has been relegated to business communication and older generations. There are various reasons why this never gained traction with the youth. One- everyone does not have (instant) access to email (internet connection or smart phone). Two- email addresses are unique and must be accurate in order to work. Three- composing and email takes multiple steps (typing email address, crafting a subject line, and finally composing a message).
When is it used? To communicate formally and generally with an older audience: an exchange of important data, a formal introduction/dialogue/request, a discussion between multiple parties, etc.
Future outlook- With the proliferation of smart phones (containing internet capability) and the synchronization of contact information (email address listed on Facebook profile), this platform is poised to gain more traction with this the Millennials.
Moving on to the communication behemoth- FACEBOOK. This website was built to connect people and, to their credit, they have continued to add features that enable just this. There are three primary methods of communication on Facebook: the public wall post, the private message, and the chat function (comparable to Instant Message). There are two key determents of Facebook’s success: the sheer volume of users (everyone has an account) and the streamlined and easy functionality.
When is it used? Remember how it felt when you met someone but didn’t get their phone number? Well this concern has evaporated with the popularity of Facebook. All you need is a name and since everyone has an account (usually with a photo of themselves) you can look them up on Facebook and send them a message. Often this is used for initial conversations/introductions (private messages) or for causal discussions that could be relevant to others (wall posts). The chat feature fulfills the need for instant feedback and is easy to use.
Future outlook- On the rise. With the tight integration with smart phones and other electronic devices (TVs and tablets), Facebook has spread its long roots into just about all communication devices…and I can’t see it going anywhere.
Lastly, cell phones; specifically TEXTING. Hands down the most commonly used communication method. Not only in users but in frequency. The young generation loves texting, plain and simple. This platform most directly meets the three truths of youth communication. Often times communication beginning with email or Facebook will evolve into a texting relationship.
When is it used? All the time. The phone call has gotten replaced by the text. Kids (to their detriment in my opinion) prefer to engage in a dialogue over text rather than voice and can use it at all times during the day. It is used by all for a quick question (easier than a call) and used by many to have a dialogue (removes the “pressure” to make verbal conversation).
Future outlook- Here to stay. There is nothing as easy or as simple as communicating over text. Are there any threats to taking down this king of communication? None come to mind.
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