[Funes-]

I agree. That's why people--especially young people--generally prefer texting over phone calls: without the spontaneity (synchronicity) required in spoken communication, it is a lot easier to hide everything on your part, from presence or attention to any kind of reaction. It is safer, so to speak; but less satisfying.

[jedberg]

That's not why most young people prefer texting. They prefer it for a variety of other reasons:

* More private. Mom and dad can't snoop as easily, especially if you're in the backseat of their car

* Asynchronous. You can answer it when it is convenient and not have to stop what you're doing.

[Funes-]

I think it's both what I said and what you added; they are not mutually exclusive by any stretch of the imagination. I would also say that chat apps are designed to be addictive, too. An important fact to consider.

>and not have to stop what you're doing.

Which is, in their case, being on their phone all day, ironically enough. Asynchronicity is what I meant by not requiring spontaneity (not being synchronous, in other words).

[azeirah]

Phone calls are outdated, what do you think of extremely popular voice chat applications such as discord?

[Funes-]

There, they have an online persona they can hide behind. They don't have to deal with people from their real-life environment. Plus, discord servers center around a common interest for everyone involved.