From Texting to Talking: How Voice Messages are Changing Communication Among Students
Why send a three-paragraph text message to your friends when you could update them with a voice message that conveys what you want to say exactly how you want to say it? This is how many students feel as they begin to turn away from traditional text messaging and take advantage of smartphones’ voice messaging features. Younger generations especially turn to voice messages as an easy, quick way to communicate with friends and family through text.
As technology evolves, students’ communication styles do, too. Students are innovative communicators and are always finding new ways to connect with each other. With voice messaging trending up and to the right, students are communicating in more healthy ways with friends close by and far away.
What are voice messages, and why are they popular?
Voice messages, also called “voice texts,” “voice notes,” and “audio messages,” are features built into messaging apps, including iMessage and WhatsApp. Unlike voice-to-text through virtual assistants like Siri, voice messages are short voice recordings that people send to each other. These are sent within texting apps just like text messages, but instead of written words, the recipient receives a small text bubble with a “play” button that allows them to listen to the voice message.
Traditional text messaging vs voice message texts
When texting was first introduced in 1992, it revolutionized the way people could communicate with each other and has continued to evolve ever since (remember T9?). It allowed people to chat with each other conveniently when they couldn’t talk out loud on the phone. While there are huge benefits to texting, it can sometimes cause confusion due to the lack of tone and misinterpretation. And while a phone call might be quicker in some cases, it can trigger anxiety for some.
Students are beginning to prefer voice memos because they’re able to convey their tone in a more authentic way while not having to commit to a full phone conversation. Short voice recordings also offer a low-pressure alternative that many students find easier to use than traditional messaging.
How students can use voice memos to connect with friends
Voice messages offer a way for students to communicate with their friends without the stress of phone calls or the ambiguity of texts. Here are some ways students can use voice messages to connect with their friends:
- Share Exciting News: Students can use voice messages to share exciting news with their friends. They can express their emotions better through their voice, and the tone can convey the message’s excitement or joy.
- Stay Connected: Voice messages can help students stay connected with friends who live far away. It’s a great way to keep in touch and feel like they’re still part of each other’s lives.
- Be Supportive: Voice messages can offer emotional support to friends who need it. When students are going through a tough time, a supportive voice message from a friend can help them feel less alone.
- Save Time: Voice messages can save time for busy students. Instead of spending time on a phone call, students can send a quick voice message to their friends, and they can listen to it at their convenience.
- Be Creative: Voice messages can be creative. Students can use voice messages to send personalized greetings or tell a story in a way that text messages cannot.
Benefits of voice messages
In addition to avoiding confusion and triggering anxiety, research suggests that voice messages can help build stronger social bonds. According to Amit Kumar, an assistant professor of marketing and psychology at The University of Texas-Austin, voice interactions (phone, video chat, and voice chat) produce stronger social bonds and no increased feelings of awkwardness when compared with text-based interactions (e-mail, text chat).
TSI’s Take
Voice messages are an excellent tool for students to use tech for good and connect with their friends in a positive and healthy way online. They enable students to express their emotions and feelings about various topics that are difficult to convey via a text message. By using voice messages, students can form stronger social bonds, enhance their communication skills, and reduce anxiety. Empowering your students to use features like voice messaging in safe, high-character ways will lead to positive experiences while communicating with their friends and family.
Here are 3 examples of ways you can encourage your own students to use the voice messaging features on their devices positively:
- If you have strong feelings about the topic being discussed, try sending a voice message instead of a written message to make sure the person receiving your message understands how you feel.
- Send a kind audio message out of the blue to a distant friend, letting them know you’re thinking of them.
- Next time you offer a friend support over text, try sending them a thoughtful voice message instead of a written text.
In our #WinAtSocial Use Your Mic For Good lesson, Mastering public speaking and storytelling in the age of social media, we empower students to find their voice and practice verbal communication skills. Interested in equipping your students to use their voice? Request a demo today of our peer-to-peer technology.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.