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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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While picking up the phone when it rings may feel like a natural reaction, for many young people, answering a call has become an anxiety-inducing experience.
Instead of calling, younger generations are relying on texts, voice notes, and social media to communicate, avoiding the spontaneity of real-time conversation, causing more and more people to be scared of making a phone call. The phenomenon even has a name—telephobia.
Stephanie Wijkstrom, CEO and Founder of the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh, told Newsweek: "[Telephobia is] an intense fear or discomfort of phone calls. Those who experience it often exhibit anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and sometimes physical symptoms such as an elevated heart rate or perspiration when anticipating a phone call."
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In a 2024 Uswitch survey of 2,000 U.K. adults, nearly 70 percent of those aged 18-34 preferred texting over talking, with 23 percent admitting they never answer calls at all. The reluctance to pick up the phone is often linked to avoiding scam calls, but social factors also play a role.
Wijkstrom explained: "In our digital age, texting and online messaging serve as our primary modes of communication, and we often feel less vulnerable and more comfortable than in a live conversation or phone call. Plus, social media contributes to the environment of curated interactions and, in turn, causes phone calls to feel overwhelming from their spontaneity."
In some places, there are already steps to tackle the issue of telephobia in young people. Nottingham College in the U.K. has started running sessions to help students build their confidence on the phone. Its 'Five Steps to Telephone Confidence' session was developed after career advisors noticed students struggling with phone interviews. Liz Baxter, a careers advisor at the college, told Newsweek: "It is increasingly difficult to make calls these days—companies use virtual assistants, AI, and often direct customers to websites. Teenagers find it easier to text or leave voice notes, meaning they have fewer experiences with real-time conversation and response formulation."
Baxter explained that young people do have strong communication skills, particularly when gaming online with friends, but struggle with the formality and immediacy of phone calls. "Texts allow them to think (and overthink) their responses, hence their preference for this. With a live call there is a palpable fear of failure. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I don't know the answer?" she said.
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"Our sessions help students realize that this can be a developing skill. It won't be sorted in one 30-minute session, but if they commit to being open-minded about it, maybe speaking to their friends instead of voice noting them, and then gradually moving on to making calls to test themselves in more formal environments, it can make a massive difference."
While texting and social media are deeply embedded in modern communication, phone conversations remain a crucial skill for job interviews, professional networking, and sharing important news. Thankfully, beating telephobia is possible.
Wijkstrom said: "With patience and intentional practice, telephobia can be overcome. Exploring and understanding the root of the fear is a helpful starting position. Individuals can also slowly increase their exposure to phone calls in a low-pressure situation to desensitize an anxious response. Deep breathing before a call is one method to practice mindfulness, which can help regulate the nerves and reduce stress."
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