Why do teens prefer SMS over voice? For a long time, I wondered why anyone would prefer to type on small devices to talking. Then I realized that SMS allows teenagers two invaluable tools for flirting and gossiping: time to think before replying and the ability to chat with multiple people at the same time. Combine them and you get the ability to consult with others before replying. So it is the asynchronicity of SMS that makes kids used to email unwilling to give it up again for the comforts of voice. The best of both worlds: short voice messages (SVMs).