In a world where communication is largely done through text messages, group chats, and emojis, the idea of ??going back to calling seems like a step back in time. But can a Gen Z person handle an entire week of calling friends and family instead of texting them? For many under 34, this sounds like an anxiety-inducing experiment.
Anxiety over phone calls has reached such proportions that a college in Nottingham has started offering training sessions for teenagers with "telephobia".
How did the phone calls become so difficult?
In an age where technology is offering more and more quick and easy ways to communicate, phone calls are increasingly becoming cumbersome and unnecessary. “Communication has become more efficient through asynchronous forms, like texting,” says a University of London professor who has studied the effects of phone calls on smartphone users.
He explains that, for most young people, the ringing of the phone is often associated with something unpleasant, such as bad news or an embarrassing situation. This is why many prefer not to answer it at all, to avoid the feeling of anxiety that an unexpected call brings.
Young generations and "telephobia"
Although it's hard to believe that phone calls were once the primary means of communication, for many young people today they seem unnecessary and tedious. Even their parents, who sometimes struggle with a video call, seem to have abandoned the landline.
Another factor that plays a role is routine. If phone calls are no longer part of everyday life, the ability to hold phone conversations seems to fade. Furthermore, the idea that a phone call means “something important” or “urgent news” has made it easier for people to avoid them, opting for faster forms of communication, such as texting.
Can anything change?
For many people belonging to Generation Z, this experiment would be challenging and uncomfortable. But there are also those who see the phone call as a more personal and authentic form of communication, which helps build closer and deeper relationships.
However, it remains to be seen whether new technologies will ultimately replace this traditional form of communication or whether there will be a nostalgic return to phone calls. For now, it seems that texting and group chats remain the kings of today's communication.
Sources: The Guardian
