Gen Z And The Lost Skill of Calling: Can Classes Help?

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Today’s young generation, Gen Z, has developed an unprecedented apprehension towards traditional phone calls. This fear is so profound that it has led universities to take action. Instead of opting for phone conversations, these young adults often resort to text messages, emails, or voice notes. However, in a professional setting, shying away from phone calls isn’t always feasible. To address this issue, some colleges are providing courses designed to help students conquer their “phone anxiety” and boost their self-assurance when engaging in real-time discussions. These classes incorporate role-playing activities and practical advice to make dialing less daunting. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the course!

Gen Z vs. Phone Calls: Pure Horror?

Members of the older generations feel apprehensive when they hear Ghostface’s question “Are you alone?” over the phone; Gen Z members experience fear at the mere sound of it ringing. Landlines are seldom used by them, and even their smartphones have moved beyond traditional calling. Many young individuals find verbal conversations awkward or anxiety-provoking, a condition termed as telephobia. Instead of answering, they often opt for text messaging, voice notes, or simply ignoring the call altogether. However, shunning phone calls can pose challenges in professional environments, appointments, and everyday life situations. To address this issue, a university in the UK is proactively dealing with it directly.

At Nottingham College, students participate in an exclusive course aimed at helping them conquer their apprehension about telephone conversations. Instead of facing each other, they engage in mock phone calls, using pre-written dialogues to foster communication devoid of visual cues. This method encourages them to remember that the person on the other end is simply another individual and not a monster. Through this controlled practice, students build their confidence and learn that telephone conversations aren’t as intimidating as they might appear at first glance.

Trivia: In Scream 5, Jenna Ortega, who was born in 2002, initially complains to her friend about how bothersome it is that the landline is ringing, and later picks up the phone to find Ghostface on the other end. This demonstrates a depiction of media portrayal.

The Rise of Texting Over Calling

23% of individuals aged between 18 and 34 years old never pick up the phone when it rings. Interestingly, approximately 61% of these people prefer receiving a message instead of an actual call. This pattern demonstrates the significant changes in communication preferences, as younger demographics tend to choose less disruptive methods to maintain contact.

As a young gamer, I can tell you that when my phone rings unexpectedly, it often feels like a dreaded piece of news is on its way. In fact, most of us in my age group (18-24) share this sentiment. Interestingly, almost half of us opt for social media chats instead, and more than one-third would rather send a voice message than jump into an instant call. It seems like the days of spontaneous phone calls are gradually fading away.

Here are some ideas to solve this problem from the self-announced Gen Z speaker:

  • Delayed Phone Calls: Imagine phone calls where the voice is delayed by about 10 seconds, making it feel more like communicating through voice notes.
  • AI-Assisted Conversations: Feed an AI your information, and then let two AIs (or one AI and a boomer) have a conversation, with the result delivered to you via text.
  • Double-Speed Talking: Create a feature where you can press the phone’s 2x button, and the other person has to start talking in double time, or you are allowed to hang up.
  • Positive Vibes Only: You’re only allowed to call when you have good news, like calling less often in the future to share good news.

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2025-02-19 18:43