When it comes to cell phone use, some adults are following the lead of younger cell phone users, and prefer texts to talking on their phone, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. Thirty one percent of U.S. adults said they rather type with their thumbs than talk with their mouths.

Granted, just over half of the U.S. adults surveyed still reported a preference for a voice call on their mobile phones to a text message. Another 14 percent said it depends on the situation to determine whether text or voice is more appropriate.

The survey, conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, consisted of 2,277 phone interviews of adults ages 18 and older. Overall, 83 percent of American adults own a cell phone and the majority of those, 73 present, send and receive text messages.

No surprise, young adults are enthusiastic texters. Cell phone owners between 18 and 24 years old exchange, on average, about 110 messages a day. That works out to more than 3,200 texts per month.

Heavy text users can receive huge monthly bills if they don't have the best wireless service plan for texting and talking. To avoid such bill shock, see Consumer Reports Buying Guide to cell phones and wireless service providers.

Americans and Text Messaging [Pew Research Center]