Media Release

Aussies call it quits: 11 million avoid phone calls

  • Only 27% of Gen Y prefer to call friends and family over messaging and emails
  • 68% of Baby Boomers favour chatting on the phone
  • 4 conversations you should never have over text

20 August 2018, Sydney, Australia – Talking on the phone is fading fast as Aussies prefer to message friends and family, revealed new research by finder.com.au, the site that compares virtually everything.

The new survey of 2,011 respondents showed 56% of Aussie adults — equivalent to 10.7 million Australians — avoid phone calls preferring to text, use messaging apps or even email to keep in touch.

Angus Kidman, Tech Expert at finder.com.au, says Baby Boomers are keeping calls alive as younger Aussies rarely pick up the phone.

“There used to be an urgency in picking up a ringing phone, almost like a reflex. Now it’s quite common to see young Aussies screen calls and respond via text, rather than calling back to have a conversation.”

“If your phone rings, chances are it's a relative or a salesperson.”

Almost two thirds (62%) of Generation Y use text messages or messaging apps to chat to friends and family: one in three (33%) prefer SMS while nearly as many (29%) prefer to send a message via an app (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger).

Only (27%) of Gen Y’s prefer to speak on the phone, while one in ten (10%) favour email over any other method of communication.

Kidman urges Gen Ys to take important conversations offline.

“Some messages just shouldn’t be delivered over text—getting dumped over WhatsApp isn’t fun for anyone.”

“Calls are free on most mobile plans, so there’s no excuse for not picking up the phone for tough conversations.”

Baby BoomersGen XGen Y
Phone calls68%43%27%
Texts/SMS10%28%33%
Messaging App (WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, etc)7%29%29%
Email14%11%10%

4 conversations you shouldn’t have over message

1. Continue a fight
It can be so easy to misinterpret messages that it’s better to pick up the phone, or meet in person. That way you can hear the other person’s tone and see their expression.

2. Breaking up with someone
You should never break up with a partner over text. Depending on the length of the relationship, you could get away with a phone call.

3. Important work conversations
Whether it’s an issue with serious consequences, a mistake or crucial decision, pick up the phone or organise a meeting. Not only will you save yourself time, you’ll usually get to the bottom of it much quicker.

4. Delivering bad news
This should go without saying, but any news that is going to worry or upset someone shouldn’t be done over text.

###

For further information

Disclaimer

The information in this release is accurate as of the date published, but rates, fees and other product features may have changed. Please see updated product information on finder.com.au's review pages for the current correct values.

About Finder

Every month 2.6 million unique visitors turn to Finder to save money and time, and to make important life choices. We compare virtually everything from credit cards, phone plans, health insurance, travel deals and much more.

Our free service is 100% independently-owned by three Australians: Fred Schebesta, Frank Restuccia and Jeremy Cabral. Since launching in 2006, Finder has helped Aussies find what they need from 1,800+ brands across 100+ categories.

We continue to expand and launch around the globe, and now have offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland and the Philippines. For further information visit www.finder.com.au.

12.6 million average unique monthly audience (June- September 2019), Nielsen Digital Panel

Go to site