Researchers have warned that humans may lose the art of conversation due to the spread of smartphones and messaging apps, as the average number of words spoken by a person per day has decreased by 338 words compared to the past.
This figure equates to about 120,000 words per year, which represents a loss of thousands of face-to-face interactions.
Researchers compared the years 2005 and 2019 and found that the number of words spoken daily declined by 28%, a period that coincided with the smartphone boom.
All age groups have been affected by this decline, but Generation Z, those aged 25 and under, have been the most affected due to their intensive use of technology.
In 2019, people were speaking an average of 12,700 words per day, compared to 15,900 words in 2005, according to data analyzed by researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Arizona, based on audio recordings of more than 2,000 people in their natural environments.
Researcher Valeria Peiffer, who participated in the study, fears that the increasing reliance on digital communication may lead to the loss of vital social skills associated with spoken language, such as tone of voice, timing, and emotional cues.
She says that humans have relied on spoken language for more than 200,000 years, and it is still unknown whether the shift towards digital communication carries hidden social costs.
She adds that speaking less means spending less time communicating with others, which is linked to loneliness and its negative repercussions on mental and physical health.
On the other hand, everyday conversation is associated with greater well-being and stronger relationships.
She points out that small interactions can make a big difference, such as exchanging a few words with the barista making coffee, asking a colleague about their weekend, or calling a family member. These brief moments help maintain social connections and may even slow or reverse the decline in everyday spoken interaction.
