Video calls zoom past phone calls as choice of people in lockdown

The extended lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people communicate, interact or socialise, be it their personal or professional life. While phone calls and audio conference calls were the norm earlier during lockdown video conferencing edged past phone calls, thanks to work from home, limited mobility and social distancing. In a study conducted by a MICA faculty member, 77.92% of the respondents preferred to make video calls over phone calls.

Commenting on her findings, Ruchi Tewari said one of the foremost reasons for increasing preference for video call is that it provides a “complete experience”, especially in the times of lockdown and social distancing. She said 60% of respondents said video calls gave “complete experience” even when data sharing was not involved.

Convenience of connecting to several people at one go, watching them and sharing content are the main reasons video calls have become popular. “The video call or conferencing app is free and brings the novelty of experience too. As communication experts say inclusion of non-verbal cues helps in effective communication, and the study supports the notion. Interestingly, some of the respondents said they like video calls as they get a peek into someone’s personal world — their personal space and how they look informally,” she said.


When respondents were asked the reason for using video calling/conference apps, 71.42% said they like using the apps to share content better. “Another foremost reason stated in the responses was that they can see people; 79.21% people gave preference to it over making a phone call due to this reason,” said Tewari.

Tewari, however, said even when people chose video apps, there was a section that believed video calls are an intrusion into their private space and life. “For example, when asked about their apprehension of the video app, 46.36% respondents felt strongly that the app was “too much of intrusion into private life”.


Irony is that the reason video calling is preferred is because people can have a peek into the life of others, while at the same time they fear others will intrude their private space, she said.

Not looking presentable during the video calls was rated as one of the top two apprehensions by 51.94% respondents.

Out of a sample size of 200 across 11 cities, 177 responses were considered for drawing conclusions. Respondents comprised 53% females, 44% males and 2% in the others category. Among respondents 64% were graduates, 31% were postgraduates, 2% had a doctorate degree while 3% were in school and secondary sections.