---
title: "Texting: Adults vs. Teens"
description: "Among those who use text messages, teens send and receive five times as many texts as adults."
date: "2010-09-13"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2010/09/13/texting-adults-vs-teens/"
---

# Texting: Adults vs. Teens

Adults are increasingly using their cell phones to send and receive text messages. Currently, 72% of adults text, up from 65% in 2009. But while adults may be embracing a favorite communication tool of teens, they cannot keep up with their younger counterparts in volume. An adult who texts sends and receives a median of 10 texts per day; a teenager who texts sends and receives a median of 50 a day. Three-in-ten teen texters (29%) send and receive over 100 messages per day, while just 8% of adults can manage the same level of texting. Conversely, half of adults (51%) send and receive one to 10 text messages a day, but just 22% of teens are as restrained in their texting habits. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1716/adults-cell-phones-text-messages)