The Textorcist: Brits confess their scariest messaging moments

Wednesday 15 October 2025

From breaking up with your partner to quitting your job - new polling shows some messages are just too scary to send

Over a fifth (22%) of UK workers admit work group chats give them the heebie-jeebies, with over a third wishing that they were banished

43% of Brits claim that the thought of being misinterpreted on message elicits fear with 61% admitting that they have often edited a message before sending it, as they overthink the response

This Halloween, Sky Mobile is giving people one less thing to fear, with flexible phone plans that let customers swap their device or switch up their plan whenever they like

With Halloween upon us, new research has revealed the messages that spook us the most, with cancelling plans, quitting your job and telling your partner you're going to be late home after a night out among the things that give Brits goosebumps.

A poll of 2,000 adults commissioned by Sky Mobile found that Brits spend almost an hour typing and deleting messages a day as they're terrified of getting a negative response (18%), or worse, being ghosted with a read' receipt (13%).

Within this, the poll also highlighted that ghosting' is no longer just affecting romantic relationships, with Brits noting that they've been ghosted by friends (22%), family members (16%) and even in-laws (4%).

The study shows that 2 in 3 Brits put off opening texts (66%) as they're worried about the guilt of leaving friends on read' (50%) or can't deal with the stress of crafting the perfect reply (29%).

55% have even confessed to leaving texts in their drafts for days, overanalysing every word before finally hitting send.

Top 10 Terrifying Texts to Send and Receive

1. Asking for favours (43%)

2. Asking someone to pay you money they owe (40%)

3. Cancelling plans (35%)

4. Asking to borrow money (31%)

5. Discussing relationship issues (27%)

6. An argumentative message with a friend/family/partner (26%)

7. Making a complaint about a service/product/work done (15%)

8. Cancelling services (14%)

9. Letting colleagues know you're leaving your job (13%)

10. Ending a relationship (13%)

The research also found that work group chats leave many of us on edge, with over half of Brits (57%) admitting to muting group notifications due to stress. A further 40% say they feel pressured to reply instantly, even outside working hours and rising to 51% of 25-34-year-olds.

When it comes towho Brits are scared to message, bosses come up on top (16%), with ex-friends (13%) and ex-partners (12%) following closely behind.

Over half the nation (58%) admit to overthinking their emoji use because they're scared that the wrong emoji could make them seem rude (29%), confused (33%), or socially awkward (37%).

Ben Case, Managing Director of Connectivity at Sky said: Some messages might be scary to send, but your mobile plan shouldn't be, and with Sky Mobile's flexible plans and data rollover, you can enjoy a mobile experience that offers more treats than tricks.

When it comes to phone plans, Brits' top fears include poor phone signal (22%), overpaying for a data plan you don't use (20%) and being locked into a long contract (18%). With Sky Mobile, there are no jump-scares. Customers can change their plan, roll over data or swap to a new device whenever they want, making mobile plans one less thing to fear this Halloween.

For more information, please contact emily.mckay@taylorherring.com

Sky Mobile network benefits at a glance:

99% network coverage

Roll - roll your spare data into your Sky Piggybank for use when you need it

Piggybank - share spare data in your Sky Piggybank with up to seven SIMs on your account or exchange it for rewards

Watch - enjoy hours and hours of streaming on Sky apps such as Sky Go, Sky Sports and more, without using your data allowance

Mix - Change your data plan whenever you like to suit your needs

Swap - swap to a new phone or tablet whenever you want, before your contract ends

Text to Switch - simply text PAC to 65075 to get your switching code. We'll take care of the rest

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