Six reasons why SMS messages are still important
Ask someone born this century about the importance of SMS messages, and you can expect to receive a glassy stare.
Yet to most Millennials, the humble text message will have been a formative part of their childhood and youth.
It’s often dismissively assumed that we have no need for texts in today’s multi-platform social media culture, where Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are ubiquitous.
Yet this is also the age of two-factor authentication and rigorous security protocols, meaning the importance of SMS messages can’t be overstated.
Despite being a technology that’s barely evolved over the last 28 years, the following six points explain the critical importance of SMS messages in modern society…
1. It’s platform agnostic. Many people shun Facebook, and therefore aren’t on Messenger. For similar reasons, some people won’t install WhatsApp on their phones.
Yet even a device barely worthy of being called a smartphone will send and receive text messages. That’s why the NHS relies on them for appointment confirmations and reminders.
2. It’s essential for security. You might receive a one-time password when you attempt to amend bank details, or a PIN code to reset a forgotten password.
These are usually sent via text message, in the age of two-factor authentication when knowing your account login credentials isn’t enough to complete financial actions online.
3. Older people prefer them. By older people, we’re taking anyone over the age of 40 – people who owned a mobile phone in the 1990s or Noughties.
Encrypted communications platforms come and go, but the text message has been with us for almost three decades. And if it ain’t broke, why use any other method of communication?
4. Text messages are simple. You don’t have to install an app to contact people, which is handy if you’re using a company smartphone with limited user privileges.
Everyone knows how to send an SMS, whereas getting grips with Instagram IMs is far less intuitive – especially since messages are ‘hidden’ behind a paper aeroplane icon on the app.
5. It’s instant. If you have a network connection, an SMS ought to arrive within seconds. The same can’t be said for services like Twitter, which may be forced offline.
You’re not reliant on a social media platform’s servers functioning. Nor do you need a stable 4G/WiFi internet connection, or spare data in your account.
6. It’s surprisingly sophisticated. Gradual evolution has seen the text message evolve beyond : ) and lol, to offer an impressive array of additional functionalities.
You can use emoji, distribute images and media files to any mobile device, send abbreviated URL links or click on links to receive live updates on order dispatches and parcel deliveries.