Study Shows 75% of Americans Prefer to Text Instead of Call Their Moms on Mother’s Day

A recent investigation by AT&T has unveiled intriguing insights into how Americans connect with their mothers on Mother’s Day, highlighting a stark shift towards texting over traditional phone calls. The study, which analysed text and call activity from Mother’s Day 2025, demonstrated that a significant majority of users are opting for digital communication to express their sentiments, with three texts sent for every single call made.

The findings revealed that approximately 75% of AT&T network users chose to text their mothers rather than call, showcasing a modern trend in familial communication. The shift towards texting appears to be particularly pronounced, with the data indicating that people in Houston, San Antonio, and Chicago were the most likely to reach out to their mothers on this special day.

Houston emerged as the leading city for Mother’s Day outreach, with a striking surplus of 3 million more communications—both calls and texts—compared to other locales. Following Houston in the rankings were cities such as San Antonio, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Austin, Atlanta, and Philadelphia—all of which demonstrated a similar penchant for digital messaging.

Jenifer Robertson, the executive vice president and general manager of AT&T Mass Markets, commented on the statistics, asserting that Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days for communication on the AT&T network. “With roughly three texts sent for every one call made to mom on Mother’s Day, we’re seeing how digital communication has become an integral part of how people connect and celebrate,” she explained.

Robertson clarified that texting offers immediacy and a personal touch, allowing mothers to cherish text messages long after they are received. As opposed to phone calls, which may foster a brief interaction, a text serves as a tangible reminder of affection that can be revisited at leisure.

Notably, Generation Z individuals—those born between 1997 and 2012—seem to be at the forefront of this trend. Robertson expressed that this demographic is particularly inclined to maintain regular contact with their mothers throughout the year, emphasising that even short messages significantly contribute to sustaining familial relationships. “We’ve consistently heard that Gen Z texts their mums daily,” she stated, noting that these “quick digital touch points play a meaningful role in nurturing connections.”

The increasing reliance on instant messaging among families illustrates a wider cultural shift in the way relationships are cultivated in contemporary society. As families continue to navigate the complexities of digital communication, texting appears to be becoming a preferred mode for expressing warmth and care, particularly on occasions such as Mother’s Day.

In an era marked by technological advancement and an ever-evolving landscape of communication, the implications of these findings serve as a reminder of how familial bonds are maintained in a digital age. As the way we convey our sentiments continues to transform, it will be interesting to observe how these patterns evolve in the years to come.

As society embraces these changes, it is evident that traditional forms of communication are being reshaped to meet the needs of a new generation. Whether through a heartfelt text or a brief moment of connection, the essence of celebrating motherhood remains, even as the mediums of connection evolve.