Text or call? How to bridge the generational gap

By Doug Weaver

We have a guest blog today - a teacher’s perspective of the changing norms around phone calls. Full disclosure, it is my husband who is also a life coach and a teen coach. You can find more information at https://www.varsitylifecoaching.com/,

Adults in the room, answer this: do you prefer sending a text message or making a phone call? Now, ask this question to a teenager. What will they answer?

For those of us who predate smartphones, do you remember spending endless hours as a teen talking on the phone with your friends? In my last few years as a high school teacher, I have realized that communication preferences have changed for today’s teens.

Recently, I was teaching an AP Psychology class, and the students were assigned a Social Psychology field study where they were to break a norm and then observe and record what happened. Several students chose “to call someone who always expects you to text,” and all reported to the class nearly the same results.

When they called their parents, they were concerned and wanted to know what was wrong. With their friends, the response was aggravation or a “why didn’t you just text me?”

I asked them if texting is the only way they contact family and friends. I asked this to every student who chose this topic, and the answer was yes, unless it was a major emergency. The exception for some was that they usually call their grandparents.

After all the student presentations were complete and their written work was graded, I took some time to reflect. I remembered the frustrations I had with some students in an AP Research class I taught a few years ago. Some students were having difficulties getting access to journal articles that were behind paywalls. I suggested contacting the author to ask for access. Many students did this using the author’s university email. Most did not get a response, so I suggested a follow-up email and, if that did not work, a phone call. Only one of my students called the author of the paper they needed.

That author not only provided the student with the paper they needed, but also every article they had written on the subject! Great, I thought this news would get those sitting on the fence to pick up their phones. But, nope.

How can you use this information? I would suggest if you are managing or mentoring a younger person, encourage them to not rely solely on emails and text messages. First, lead by example. If your colleagues see and/or experience you making phone calls and meeting in-person, they will be more likely to practice this as well. Teach them when it is appropriate to use texts and emails versus when a phone call or in-person meeting. Make sure to explain why this is important and best practice.

Encourage younger employees to make calls and meet with people in-person. As we know, the more personal a contact is there is a better chance of a successful outcome. Hang in there with young people. Being consistent, patient, and persistent will usually get the result you are aiming for!