An AT&T survey among text-messaging adults ages
18-55 showed how important texting is to relationships. According to the survey, 40 percent of texters who
are in a relationship or dating believe that text messaging plays a
significant or very significant role in their relationships.
According to the survey:
- Sixty-eight percent of texters surveyed admitted to sending a love note via text messaging.
- Sixty-seven percent have used text messaging to flirt.
- Fifty-two percent said "thinking of you" is the most common text message received from a date or spouse.
- Twenty-eight percent indicated that they text at least three times a day with a significant other or spouse.
Love at First Text
Exchanging text messages before a first date
can help put everyone at ease. Texting also allows you to be more
clever and thoughtful in what you say.
- Thirty-four percent of texters in a relationship or dating agreed
they would be more comfortable on a first date if they received a text
message beforehand. - Twenty-six percent agreed that someone would
be more likely to accept a first date with them if they have exchanged
text messages first. - Fifty-eight percent admitted they have at
least occasionally shown a friend a text message from a suitor to get
his or her interpretation. - Thirty-eight percent admitted that their wireless phone has saved them from an uncomfortable dating situation.
Love Hurts
Texting for love isn't without its challenges. One of
the great things about texting during a new relationship is the time it
allows you to collect your thoughts and your courage before initiating
communication. On the flip side, it also could possibly create
uncertainty and frustration if the recipient of the message waits too
long to respond.
- Eighty-four percent of those surveyed believe that text messages can sometimes be misunderstood by a date or suitor.
- Twenty-four percent said the biggest turnoff when texting with a date or a spouse is a slow response.
- Eighty-two percent, however, said they answer a text message immediately or as quickly as possible.
- One-third of texters who are in a relationship or dating indicated
they would get upset if a date/spouse responded to a wireless call
while on a date, although 44 percent admitted to answering their
wireless phone while on a date.
Love Through the Ages
It's not easy getting back in the love game
after sitting on the sidelines for a while. There are many adults who
find themselves single again and are quickly learning that the rules of
engagement, as well as the tools of engagement, have changed over the
years. Sending text messages to flirt, make romantic plans and, in some
extreme cases, to break up is completely alien to many of a certain age.
So just how does age factor into adults' views of texting and dating?
- Thirty-seven percent of respondents who are 18-35 said they text
at least three times a day with their significant other compared with
22 percent of those who are 36-55. - Seventy-four percent of
respondents who are 18-35 have flirted via text messaging compared with
60 percent of those who are 36-55. - Twenty-six percent of
respondents ages 18-35 admitted to texting more than one person at a
time to invite them on a date or for other romantic reasons, but only 7
percent of those who are 36-55 have done the same. - Thirty percent
of respondents ages 18-35 have texted friends and family to update them
on a blind date compared with 19 percent of respondents who are 36-55.
AT&T offers a variety of messaging plans that fit your unique
wireless needs. Two unlimited plans, Messaging Unlimited and Messaging
Unlimited for Families, give you the freedom to send as many messages
as you want - text, instant messages, picture and video - for one low
monthly price. For more information, visit www.att.com/textmessaging.
Survey Methodology
AT&T's 2008 text dating survey was
conducted by Synovate via an online consumer opinion panel of 1,000
adults ages 18-55 in May 2008.