Texting habits, a seemingly mundane daily activity, may reveal more about a person’s age than previously thought, according to tech influencer Tyler Morgan. With over 2.7 million views on his recent TikTok trends video, Morgan explains that the way people type messages on their smartphones serves as a digital fingerprint indicative of their generational identity.
In his viral clip, Morgan outlines specific texting styles associated with how old people text. For millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, the swipe-to-text method is a popular choice. This generation embraced early digital texting innovations, adapting swiftly to new technologies that sped up communication.
Generation Z, those born from 1997 to 2012, is characterized by their ability to type quickly and accurately using just one hand. This skill reflects the rapid evolution of mobile technology and social media platforms that demand faster and more efficient ways of communication.
Meanwhile, the technique of using both thumbs to type, which Morgan notes can continue until a person’s 50s, bridges the habits of both Millennials and Generation Z. This method has persisted as a reliable way of typing accurately and efficiently on smaller smartphone keyboards.
On the other hand, Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and even some older Gen Xers, tend to rely on the “one-finger tap” method. Morgan humorously notes that this style signals that “you’re getting up there,” a nod to the more deliberate and cautious approach to technology adopted by older generations.
The tech influencer also highlighted a less common, yet impressive method: typing with the device held horizontally. This style, Morgan admits, is not typical to any particular age group but showcases an individual’s unique adaptation to digital communication tools.
Morgan’s ‘how old do you text’ TikTok insights offer a glimpse into how different generations have adapted to the rapid changes in technology over the decades. From the early days of pressing multiple buttons on devices like the Nokia 9000i to the seamless typing on modern smartphones, each generation has left its mark on digital communication practices, revealing that even our mundane daily habits can be a window into broader cultural trends.
