How you type when you're on your phone can apparently speak volumes about your age and which generation you belong to.
One might argue that generational divides are largely artificial constructs designed to pit people against each other and oversimplify the impact a changing environment has on the people who grow up in it.
Then again, where's the fun in that?
Advert
TikToker Tyler Morgan, who will no doubt be thrilled to have become the voice of a generation, broke down the various ways you can type on your phone and what they meant for your generation.
Apparently the 'swipe to text' gang are largely millennial, though I have to admit as a member of that auspicious generational cohort, I tried this one for about two days and decided I just preferred to actually tap the keys.
For those who can 'type fast and accurately with one hand', or more specifically one thumb as his video showed, the texter typing with the thumb of the hand they were holding the phone with, they were supposed to be 'preteen to age 25'.
Advert
That same age bracket apparently applies to people who type quickly with both thumbs, but he claimed this style would persist through to your 'mid 30s'.
The TikToker, who is himself a millennial, claimed that people would stick with using their thumbs at a declining speed until they hit their 50s, after which the index finger would 'unnecessarily' be added to the mix.
He also claimed that from about 65 onwards was when just tapping each key out individually with the index finger came into play, and you've probably seen your grandparents use this method.
He also found it 'impressive' when people held their phone landscape and typed that way, but had a particular scorn for those of us who typed with an index finger on one hand and a thumb on the other.
Advert
This is actually how I generally text, but apparently 'it just feels wrong' according to Tyler - though some commenting defended the proud and noble texting method.
Advert
Many pointed out that as phones are getting larger there's only so much you can do with a thumb, especially if it's attached to the hand holding the phone.
Someone from Generation X, who frankly should be happy they're getting mentioned at all in the generational conversation, wrote: "YOU ADD IN THE FINGERS WHEN THE CARPAL TUNNEL GETS YA!"
Opinions on 'swipe to text' ranged from it being 'lowkey underrated' to 'criminal', while someone else railed against 'makin us seem like we bout to die or end up in a nursing home'.
In an interview with Newsweek, Morgan said that his 'observation' came from 'being bored at work and just watching people when I'm at home or with friends'.
Topics: TikTok, Phones, Technology