AWeber asked 167 students to write essays on the topic of email.
Email is a primary means of communication for over one billion people around the world. however, it has been suggested that younger generations may eschew email in favor of other messaging technologies.
After reading and analyzing these essays, here were the findings:
What do you think?
[via AWeber]
Chris says
I guess in some areas email isn’t useful. But for my job email is the primary way we communicate with customers. I don’t use it much outside of work, but I also don’t use the phone much outside of work either, or the post office or FedEx or UPS. It’s a form of communication that is still vital for certain groups of people. The post office is still vital for certain groups of people, but people who don’t use it think it’s a waste of time and dying. I guess the same can be said for email.
Eric Dye says
Word.
Jeremy Mavis says
I’m a middle school pastor, and in my eight years of engaging these students through a variety of means, NOT ONCE have I received an email from a student. Hundreds of Facebook messages, but not a single email message in my inbox (and my email is published and communicated to them). They all have an email address because you need one to access social media sites, but I don’t think they’re using them. It seems like email is too formal for them. I agree w/ the notion that they will use it when they “grow up” but not right now.
Eleanor says
How interesting … I guess my own experience fits with yours, Jeremy, though my sample is much smaller. When I communicate with my nieces, it’s text or Facebook, not email. But do they use email at school, I wonder? Maybe that’s the context for them – email is school/professional, and social media and text is for private life?
Eric Dye says
I think you guys have it figured out.
Eric Dye says
Good thoughts, Jeremy. When I think about my email usage, it’s at its height when it’s regards to work. Great insight, man!
Chris Ames says
Email will not die in our lifetime.
So kids today (tomorrow’s adults, if you will) don’t use email. Totally cool. Lets assume that the future of online services (NetFlix, Hulu, XBox Live, iTunes) will demand FB or Twitter for user account authentication. It’s likely.
Now, let’s predict that Facebook and Twitter will both dropped the email pre-requisite and establish themselves as root user account services. It is safe to assume this will happen eventually.
We still have a problem: The separation of home and vocation.
I can’t use my private Facebook account to send and receive work email. There will always need to be a work system of some sort, and email is the most dexterous solution.
How
Dustin W. Stout says
This inspired me to create an infographic. Only problem is… I’m not an illustrator. lol
Eric Dye says
Find one? Put a tweet out, man! If you have a great idea, make it happen Dustin!!! (and post it on ChurchMag ;-))