Messenger users report feeling overwhelmed by message volume

A representative survey of 1,006 people in Germany conducted on behalf of Bitkom reveals that messenger apps are a staple of daily life, with 87 percent of respondents using services like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or Threema.

However, the constant influx of communication is causing significant stress. Approximately 72 percent of users report feeling overwhelmed by the volume of messages, with 20 percent stating this happens frequently. Consequently, 69 percent of users occasionally leave messages unanswered for longer periods.

While 73 percent of respondents experience guilt regarding delayed responses, 87 percent express fundamental understanding for others who react slowly. The study also notes a generational divide: 78 percent of users aged 65 and older feel overwhelmed by message volumes, compared to 68 percent of those aged 16 to 29.