Smartphones Cost Humans 120,000 Spoken Words a Year, Study Finds

Humanity is losing the art of conversation, researchers warn, as smartphones and messaging apps drive a sharp decline in daily speech. The average person now speaks 338 fewer words per day than in the past, a drop that adds up to roughly 120,000 words each year—a loss of thousands of face-to-face interactions.

Comparing data from 2005 and 2019, scientists found that daily spoken word counts fell by 28 percent, a period that coincided with the smartphone boom. In 2005, people spoke an average of 15,900 words per day; by 2019, that number had dropped to 12,700, according to audio recordings of more than 2,000 individuals in their natural environments, analyzed by researchers at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Arizona.

Gen Z Hit Hardest by the Decline

Every age group saw a reduction, but Generation Z—those aged 25 or younger—suffered the most, driven by their heavy reliance on technology. Researcher Valeria Pfeiffer, who contributed to the study, fears that growing dependence on digital communication may erode vital social skills tied to spoken language, such as tone of voice, timing, and emotional cues.

Humans have relied on spoken language for over 200,000 years, Pfeiffer noted, and it remains unclear whether the shift toward digital interaction carries hidden social costs. Speaking less means spending less time connecting with others, which is linked to loneliness and its negative effects on mental and physical health.

Small Interactions Make a Big Difference

On the flip side, regular conversation is associated with greater well-being and stronger relationships. Pfeiffer emphasized that even brief exchanges—a few words with a barista, asking a coworker about their weekend, or calling a family member—can make a significant difference. These short moments help maintain social bonds and may slow or reverse the decline in daily spoken interaction.