Some texting habits reveal more about our insecurities than our age—especially when we’re trying a little too hard to fit in.

We live in a world where you can Google slang and send it in the same breath. That doesn’t mean you should.

I’ve noticed a trend lately—especially in texts and DMs—where people start trying just a little too hard to come off as younger than they are.

It’s not always obvious at first. But once you see it, it’s hard to unsee.

Here’s the thing: trying too hard to sound young doesn’t actually make you seem younger. It just makes you look out of touch.

Let’s break down the texting habits that are giving it away.

1. Using every trending phrase like it’s a checklist

There’s a difference between keeping up with the times and stuffing your messages like a TikTok caption.

You know the type: “She’s giving main character energy.” “It’s the vibes for me.” “Slay, queen.” All in one text thread.

At a certain point, it stops sounding youthful and starts sounding like a copy-paste job from a Gen Z dictionary.

This isn’t about judging the slang itself. Language evolves.

But when someone uses every trend, it becomes more about signaling youth than having a natural voice. That’s when it starts to feel off.

As noted in Yahoo Finance, “prominent logo displays often backfire, making brands seem inauthentic and less cool”.

The same applies to your texting. Trying to wear the loudest digital outfit rarely makes the impact you think it does.

2. Typing like you’re in high school again

I once got a text that read: “omggggg I literally can’t rn lollll.” From a 47-year-old.

Now, no shame—we all toss out the occasional LOL or exaggerate a letter here and there. But there’s a fine line between playful and performative.

Texting like a teenager when you’re not one anymore doesn’t make you relatable. It makes people pause. And not in a good way.

There’s nothing wrong with keeping your tone casual. But if your punctuation, spelling, and tone suddenly shift depending on who you’re texting, ask yourself: what are you trying to prove?

3. Overusing emojis in awkward places

Emojis are great. I use them. You probably do too. But context matters.

There’s a subtle difference between sending a laughing emoji after a funny comment and following up “Can you send the invoice?” with a cry-laughing face and the dancing lady.

When someone crams five emojis into every message—or worse, uses ones they clearly don’t understand—it starts to feel forced. Like wearing sunglasses indoors.

And here’s a tip: if you’re using skulls, sparkles, or cherries because you think that’s what the cool kids are doing, pause. Emojis are like seasoning.

The right ones elevate the flavor. Too many just ruin the meal.

4. Phubbing while pretending to be connected

You ever been mid-convo with someone and they suddenly go silent—only to post a story two minutes later?

That’s phubbing. Phone snubbing. And it’s more common than we realize.

We try to spin it. “Sorry! Just multitasking!” or “OMG I thought I replied!” But at its core, it’s a behavior rooted in trying to appear socially in demand.

As Very Well Mind has noted, “phubbing negatively affects intimacy and closeness in romantic partnerships”. So while it might feel like you’re being effortlessly connected, you’re actually signaling disconnection.

What does this have to do with trying to seem younger?

Everything. Because often, it’s about performance.

Keeping up a fast-paced, always-on, always-scrolling persona instead of showing up as who you are—someone with a little more life under their belt and hopefully more presence, too.

5. Mimicking Gen Z texting rhythms

Here’s one I see all the time: people who adopt Gen Z’s love for lowercase-only messages, long-winded sarcasm, or ironic misspellings like “bestiiieeeeee”—without fully understanding the tone.

These styles work when they’re coming from a place of cultural context. But outside of that, they feel like mimicry.

It’s the equivalent of showing up to a punk show in brand new Doc Martens, tags still on.

You don’t have to switch your rhythm to fit in. Most people aren’t expecting you to text like a 20-year-old. They just want you to be consistent and authentic.

6. Avoiding authenticity out of fear of seeming old

Let’s flip the lens for a second.

What if the real problem isn’t trying to seem young, but being afraid to show up as you are?

I get it. No one wants to be labeled as outdated. We’ve all had moments where we second-guessed a text: “Is this too formal? Should I throw in a GIF?”

But when everything we send is filtered through that fear, we start losing our voice.

According to HelpGuide, “stress and anxiety, particularly in social situations, can lead you to self-isolate, deepening your loneliness and sense of isolation”.

Trying to fit a younger mold might seem harmless, but over time, it chips away at your comfort with your actual self.

And that disconnect—between how you communicate and who you are—is what people notice.

Not your age.

The takeaway?

You don’t have to jump through hoops to feel relevant.

In fact, the most magnetic people I know text like themselves—quirks and all.

Their voice doesn’t change depending on who they’re texting. They’re not scrambling for slang or triple-checking if their message sounds trendy enough.

They’re just…present. Clear. Thoughtful.

That’s timeless. And no emoji can fake it.