“Vocal fry” or creaky voice is not just “mindless affectation”

Studies are showing that vocal fry serves serious purposes. It may be used when speakers are in uncomfortable situations or when they are communicating information. Furthermore, younger people do not disparage those using vocal fry in the way that older people do.
https://theconversation.com/if-your-teenagers-vocal-fry-bothers-you-you-may-be-behind-the-times-111721