From The Head - Friday 17th October 2025
The desire to have a conversation on the telephone is in steady decline with up to 70% of 18-34 year olds stating that they prefer to use text than either make or receive a phone call. Many people feel anxious or uncomfortable with spontaneous phone conversations, a phenomenon sometimes called “phone call anxiety.” People today speak less on the phone than previous generations because technology offers faster, lower-pressure alternatives. This shift reflects not only convenience, but also changing attitudes toward communication, privacy, and emotional effort.
Even though I am of that older generation where the only form of communication in the house was a telephone landline, and, as a teenager, was frequently told by my parents to 'get off the phone' as I sat on the bottom of the stairs in the hall chatting away for hours to friends, I confess that I too now would rather send a message than speak on my mobile phone!
Experts say that Pre-School children's speech and language development is in "steady decline" due to an over-reliance on screen time and that more young children are being referred with delayed speech and language abilities as well as poor social, attention and listening skills. Health Professionals for Safer Screens suggest children aged 0-2 should not be on any screens at all and those aged 2-5 for a maximum of 30 minutes per day. With excessive screen time, children hear fewer words and engage in fewer real conversations - interactions with people, not screens, are key to developing strong verbal skills.
Courtesy of BT, there was a well known phrase in the 90s 'It's Good to Talk', and this has never been truer. Talking and having a good chinwag benefits us emotionally, socially and cognitively, increases empathy and improves mental health. This is especially important to role model for children and encourage conversations over dinner, in the car or in the bath - whenever the opportunity presents itself. Being able to converse confidently and developing a broad vocabulary are skills for life and will stand children in good stead during their years of education and beyond into the world of work.
Perhaps it’s time to slow down, look up from our screens, and simply enjoy a good conversation.
Julia Langford
Headteacher