Research shows a significant 28% decline in spoken words between 2005-2019, with people speaking only 16,632 words daily by 2019 compared to earlier measurements. The shift toward digital communication through apps and texting appears to be the primary driver of this reduction. Researchers suggest the COVID-19 pandemic likely accelerated this trend toward less verbal communication.
Background
Digital communication technologies have been transforming how people interact, with texting and app-based services replacing many traditional verbal exchanges. Researchers have been tracking these behavioral shifts to understand their social and psychological implications.
- Source
- The Verge
- Published
- Apr 25, 2026 at 11:03 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10