Over half of Gen Z professionals feel anxious about making business calls, with 59% preferring emails or instant messaging, according to a recent Robert Walters study.
This aversion to voice calls has been dubbed “phone phobia” or “phone anxiety”—a growing discomfort with real-time communication in favor of more controlled digital formats.
For Mariam A, 26, calls feel intrusive.
“Texting gives me time to think. A call feels like a sudden interruption,”
she said. Despite the efficiency of calls, she added,
“It seems like a heavy to-do.”
Ahmed Amin, 23, echoed the sentiment, linking calls with bad news.
“Whenever I see an incoming call, I brace myself. Texts are less stressful—I can respond when I’m ready.”
Psychologists tie this trend to social anxiety. Dr Sarah Ahmed, a clinical psychologist, explained that phone calls eliminate the buffer texting provides.
“There’s pressure, unpredictability, and a lack of control, all of which can heighten anxiety,”
she said. Symptoms can range from increased heart rate to difficulty concentrating, often leading to call avoidance.
Dr Amina Al Hamadi, a sociologist, sees a deeper cultural shift.
“Gen Z was raised in a digital-first world. Instant messaging shaped their communication style—brief, clear, and asynchronous,”
she said.
“Phone calls now feel outdated and emotionally demanding.”
What was once a standard form of connection is increasingly viewed as stressful by a generation raised on curated, on-demand communication. As the workplace evolves, understanding these shifts will be key to bridging generational gaps in professional and personal interactions.
News Source: Khaleej Times
