For Generation Z, a group known for its fluency in texting and social media, the thought of making or receiving a phone call has become a source of overwhelming anxiety. While the demographic often critiques everything from emojis to condiments, their aversion to phone conversations has taken centre stage as a new challenge.
Addressing this issue, Nottingham College in the UK introduced coaching sessions aimed at helping students overcome telephonophobia—a fear of using the telephone. Liz Baxter, a careers advisor at the college, explained to the BBC that phone anxiety was a recurring problem among students. “Youngsters simply don’t have the confidence to use the telephone,” Baxter said.
Telephonophobia manifests in both emotional and physical ways. Emotionally, sufferers delay or avoid calls due to heightened stress, experience extreme nervousness before, during, and after a call, and obsess over their conversations. Physically, it can result in nausea, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, and muscular tension.
This growing unease is often linked to social anxiety, with fears of judgement or embarrassment playing a significant role. According to Baxter, the dependence on texting and social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat has further distanced Generation Z from traditional voice-to-voice communication.
For many under the age of 27, texting and social media are preferred methods of communication, even for delicate matters like romantic breakups. The aversion to calls is so widespread that breaking up via text has become a norm. Kean, 26, previously commented that digital breakups were often preferred as they “save a really awkward chat.”
Sixteen-year-old Donna explained her apprehension, saying, “When the phone rings, I’m mostly anxious because it’s normalised for our generation to use text messages. If there’s a phone call, I always think it’s an emergency.”
Similarly, 17-year-old Evie admitted to avoiding calls. “The only people I’ll call are my mum or dad. Anyone else feels quite formal, and that’s not something I’m used to. We’ve grown up texting each other.”
To tackle these issues, Nottingham College’s programme focuses on practical, classroom-based exercises. Students engage in role-playing activities, such as answering typical interview questions and calling businesses to inquire about opening hours or product availability.
“These exercises help students push their boundaries in manageable ways,” said Baxter. The sessions aim to provide a structured approach to improving telephone skills, with the ultimate goal of fostering confidence in real-world scenarios.
Kyle Butterworth, 28, who once struggled with telephonophobia in his early twenties, shared advice for overcoming the fear. “Make yourself in charge of the situation. Know what you’re going to say before you start the call. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where it flows naturally,” he said.
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