Why Gen Z Prefer Texting Over Phone: New Study Reveals

Recent research has uncovered a surprising preference among 9 out of 10 members of Generation Z: they’d rather send texts than have conversations on the phone. 

Some young people even consider phone calls a “phobia” of theirs. Contrary to what might seem like a mere convenience choice, this new data suggests that anxiety might be at the root of this behaviour. 

Several teenagers have confided in experts that having an awkward phone call ranks among the top three things they’d most like to avoid in life.

CBSNews.com highlighted this emerging trend, reporting that Gen Z is leading the way in shying away from traditional phone conversations. 

The website interviewed numerous youngsters in recent weeks about their phone habits. Many expressed their dislike for talking on the phone, with some even admitting that it makes them feel anxious.

For instance, a 16-year-old from Huntington, New York, shared, “I don’t like it that much; I’d rather just text.” Similarly, a teenager from Port Washington mentioned that texting is convenient and more private than speaking aloud. 

She explained, “It’s so easy to just like text someone quickly, and it’s much more private than having a conversation out loud.” Another individual cited her fear of phone calls, saying, “I do get a little bit anxious. It’s a lot of effort to pick up a phone and talk all the time.”

Research conducted in Australia among Gen Z individuals supports this trend, revealing that a whopping 90 per cent of them feel anxious about speaking on the phone. Some even consider an awkward phone call to be among their top three life-dreaded scenarios.

This growing shift away from phone conversations is attributed to the vanishing landlines and the earlier access to cell phones that today’s kids have compared to previous generations. 

Communications expert Mary Janes Copps, known as “The Phone Lady,” explained that phone conversations are a skill that is slowly disappearing. She noted, “It turns out that talking on the phone is a skill, and for decades, we didn’t recognize that, because we all did it.”

Copps observed the increasing anxiety among young people regarding phone calls and suggested that while phone calls are less common in workplaces, knowing how to conduct them is still valuable. 

Research indicates that hearing each other’s voices over the phone fosters better trust and relationships compared to texting.

Fox News Digital has reached out to major phone providers for their thoughts on this trend and is currently awaiting responses.