It’s a fundamental communication question in today’s busy world: Do I call or text? In particular, how do college students decide which method to use when contacting their parents?
New research at NDSU indicates that decision is often determined by time and schedule.
Carrie Anne Platt, NDSU associate professor of communication, and doctoral students Renee Bourdeaux and Nancy DiTunnariello looked into these questions. Their findings were recently published in Emerald Studies in Media and Communication in the article, “Should I text or should I call?: How college student navigate mediated connections with family.”
In the study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 students. They were asked about their communication habits, frequency of communication and which technology they used, including calling, texting, emailing or using social media like Facebook or Instagram.
The results showed some recurring themes.
Most students said they are in almost daily contact with their parents. And they manage that while juggling schedules that often include classes, internships and part-time jobs.
The students also worried about interrupting their parents, because they, too, have a lot going on.
“Students prefer to text. They found it easier and more convenient, particularly with their busy schedules,” explained Platt, who teaches courses in new media and technology. “They wouldn’t have time to sit down for a conversation, but they could shoot a text off to mom to check in. They could still feel a connection without having to devote the time a phone call would require.”
According to Platt, the determining factor is efficiency. Can it be handled in series of texts or will a short phone call take less time?
The researchers also found there were specific times the students felt a phone call is necessary.
“If something was of high emotional importance or they wanted support from mom or dad, that was the situation where they tended to call,” Platt said. “We had a lot of the students say there is something about hearing mom’s voice or getting to talk to dad that makes them feel better, and they didn’t get that same feeling texting back and forth.”
According to Platt, another factor that prompted students to make phone calls was efficiency. If the topic of conversation was too complicated to be handled in a series of texts, they would make a short phone call to save time.
Platt said the research ultimately showed students want to stay connected with their parents.
“Many students wished they had the opportunity to talk more often with their parents. They felt they get a lot out of the interaction, but they didn’t have the time to do it,” Platt said. “When asked what advice they had for new students, they said incoming students should make time for phone calls, because they are important to maintain that connection.”
The work may trigger further research. Platt said it would be interesting to look at the parents’ perspective, communication with siblings and how the type of communication affects the quality of student-parent relationships.
Platt joined the NDSU faculty in 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Carroll College in Helena, Montana; her master’s degree from Wake Forest University; and her doctorate from the University of Southern California.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.