Why do young people not answer texts?

Nathan

SF VIP
...some possible explanations, according to the Google AI search feature:

AI Overview
Young people often do not answer texts immediately due to digital fatigue, high levels of social anxiety, and a preference for "asynchronous" communication (replying when convenient) rather than instant interaction. This behavior is frequently driven by overwhelming notification loads, the need to manage mental energy, and a tendency to prioritize real-world tasks over digital demands.
Key reasons for non-response include:

Digital Fatigue & Overload: Constant notifications from numerous apps create fatigue, leading young people to ignore messages to manage their mental space.
Anxiety & Perfectionism: Many young people experience anxiety regarding texting and may take longer to craft the perfect reply, leading to delayed responses or avoidance.
Prioritizing Mental Energy: A "social battery" limit can make responding feel like a taxing task, particularly when they are overwhelmed with other tasks, notes.
Asynchronous Communication Habits: Younger generations often view texting as a convenient tool to be used at their own pace, not as a demanding, real-time conversation, as shown on Quora.
Passive Conflict Management: Not replying can be a way to avoid conflict, awkward conversations, or to signify a lack of interest without a direct confrontation, as discussed on Quora and reported in Psychology Today.
Forgetting or Involuntary Ghosting: Messages are often read, marked for answering later, and then forgotten, a phenomenon sometimes associated with ADHD
 
One of my daughters only answers if it requires an answer. Sometimes you text her and she doesn't respond with an "OK", " Got it", nothing. If I texted you and said, " It's a beautiful day. I hope you can get out some." Nothing. I realize that doesn't require an answer but wouldn't you respond?
 
I think I am worse in not responding but like others have said ask a question to get a response. one child texts when they want to share a lot and since we are in way different time zones him in the UK and me on pacific time he texts continually while i am at work and do not always have time to respond like I would like.
 
One of my daughters only answers if it requires an answer. Sometimes you text her and she doesn't respond with an "OK", " Got it", nothing. If I texted you and said, " It's a beautiful day. I hope you can get out some." Nothing. I realize that doesn't require an answer but wouldn't you respond?
My husband's daughter does that to him. Sometimes my kids take awhile, but they always answer eventually. :ROFLMAO:
 
I don't think it is just young people or restricted to texts. I feel that it is now very common not to receive a replay from messages, emails or even telephone messages - despite it being clear that the receiver has read or heard the message. I think it has evolved from the use of mobile technology and the recognition that people are not always available to respond immediately.

I don't use a mobile phone and never have done. So, I still find this incredibly annoying and inconvenient.
 
Ah yes, this is a good one for my Son.
I understand that people may be busy or sleeping or whatever.
I really do not expect a reply right away.

What really annoys me is that I will be texing back and forth with my Son and I will text something,
then he just disappears!
Then I am sitting there wondering if he left or fell off his chair or what!
I guess he has left because he does not text back.
:LOL:
 
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