‘Brings me to tears’: Everyday activity Gen Zers are terrified of

Gen Zers are considered one of the most technologically advanced generations, but they are afraid of one thing they have spent their whole lives surrounded by.

Gen Z is considered to be technologically advanced. Picture: iStock

The simple act of making a phone call has emerged as one of Gen Z’s greatest weaknesses.

With phones being so easily accessible and attached to almost every young person’s hand, you might expect Gen Z to be able to perform one of the most mundane tasks – picking up the phone and dialling.

Unfortunately the reality is, the very thought of making a call is often accompanied by a sense of dread and impending failure for some.

Most subject matter experts believe this apprehension to phone calls is associated with social anxiety. Social anxiety stems from the fear of judgement or humiliation.

Texting and using apps such as Snapchat, prevents mistakes from being made. Texting allows Gen Z to proof read and keep track of their conversation.

Texting also gives them time to respond appropriately without awkward silences and prevents any unforeseen mishaps. This eliminates chances of being judged or humiliated.

Gen Z is considered to be technologically advanced. Picture: iStock

Texting is also quicker. It allows Gen Zers to quickly send off a text and walk away while waiting for a response. Texting allows multi-tasking, whereas phone calls mean focusing your whole attention to what is happening on the line.

news.com.au spoke to high school and university students to explain their fear.

“If I had to make a phone call I would freak out,” one said. “When I do make a call, I usually sit down and write potential responses to what I think they’ll say to me, just so I am prepared.”

Another said it was best just to stay away from phone calls.

“It feels like I’m not reinforcing the statement ‘stranger danger,’” she said. “It’s been a warning we have all grown up with.”

Erin McGovern, 21, told news.com.au that any thought of making a phone call is anxiety-inducing,

“If I am tasked with calling someone important, the prospect might bring me to tears,” she said. “The sense of fear of failure contributes to my heightened sense of stress associated with phone calls.”

She also said “phone calls are no longer used as the standard way to contact someone in our generation”.

“Phone calls are normally made with a purpose in mind, whether that be to book something or get results,” she said. “The fear of messing something like this up is where I think that anxiety response comes in.”

Ms McGovern said if a phone call is necessary, she’ll make sure she’s ready.

“Typically I’ll prepare by jotting down what I want to say on paper and imagine what the other person might say,” she said. “If the other person doesn’t respond how I imagined, my reaction and response becomes awkward.”

Beachgoers at Sydney's Bondi Beach make calls from Telstra phone boxes

Tate Bevan, 16, said if he has to call someone he’d be stressed about how the conversation would play out.

“I would be worried about what I’ll say and what I need to say,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to miss anything.”

Similarly Georgia O’Grady, 16, said she’d also be worried.

“I get very nervous when I make a call,” she said. “I’d probably avoid doing something important if it meant I had to make a call.”

She told news.com.au she believes her nervousness stems from what the person on the line might think of her.

“I think it has to do with judgement and the knowledge of not knowing the person on the other end,” she said. “I’ll always prepare just in case I have to call. I prepare so that I know what I am going to say and so it (the call) flows a lot better.”

Other Gen Zers said they resented the idea of making a phone call, especially if there was an alternative route. Most told news.com.au they would dread making a call and would look for an online booking form instead.

“Oh I absolutely hate giving a phone call, especially if I don’t know them. I don’t answer phone calls if I don’t know the number because it stresses me, talking to people. I’ll avoid them if I can” one said.

“If I receive a phone call I am very scared. I am hesitant and sceptical,” another said. “Phone calls make me worried and concerned.”

An Instagram meme about text preference over phone calls. Picture: Instagram/@Anxietyjosh

It is a common problem for Gen Zers.

Caitlin Mitchell, 21, said phone calls for her are annoying.

“It’s awkward and stresses me out and I really don’t know why. I’ll just avoid them at all costs,” she said. “If I had to make a phone call I’d probably be annoyed and I’d try to get it over with.”

All the individuals who spoke to news.com.au were given the choice of responding via text or call. All the responses were given via text messages.

This universal problem for Gen Z has been made into memes, videos, Twitter posts and is a common topic of conversation.

Fortunately for Gen Z, as everything becomes more readily available online, they may eventually be able to avoid any call-related stresses.

This then begs the question, will phone calls become more unpopular as time goes on or will Gen Z have to face their fears?