Hello, is it anxiety you’re looking for?
Generation Z is known for speaking their minds â but if it requires a phone call, they’ll probably ignore it.
New York political strategist Max Burns declared that zoomers use the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) feature to avoid anxiety when receiving a call.
“TIL that some Gen Z kids keep their cell phones on Do Not Disturb 24/7, so they never have to face the anxiety of answering the phone.” Burns tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The DND feature on smartphones shuts off notifications to calls, texts or applications that send push alerts, distracting them from work, studying or resting.
A study conducted in 2023 by CommBank and telco provider More revealed that 90% of Gen Zers are anxious about speaking on the phone, which could be attributed to the popular usage of cellphones on DND.
Burns came up with his theory after discussing the feature with colleagues.
“I was having a conversation with two of my Gen Z coworkers about [Do Not Disturb], and they had both mentioned the anxiety of getting unexpected calls,” he told BuzzFeed.
The post garnered over 5.1 million views on X with zoomers, millennials and Gen X sharing their hot take on the DND toggle.
“I don’t think it’s a Gen Z thing, I think it’s overall anxiety of being plugged in 24/7,” one person wrote.
“Sir I think you mean every last person under 50,” commented a jokester.
“I’m not Gen Z, my phone has been in DND mode for going on 8 years at this point, I don’t need to answer robocall spam,” tweeted a user.
“Calling someone on their cellphone when you aren’t in a life or death situation is disrespectful [as fâk]. Like, what makes you think you’re entitled to my attention right that moment, making me use up a hand to hold my phone, when you could text the exact same device?” a millennial added.
“Anxiety is just so loosely used these days. I just don’t want to talk on the phone 90% of the time,” wrote another. “Also because the notifications are just endless.”
The overwhelming responses hinted that many people aside from Gen Z use DND to avoid unsolicited calls from scammers or robocalls.
However, using the feature 24/7 can create a lack of communication with friends, family or potential love interests.
Previously reported by The Post, Gen Z’s abhorrence to phone calls creates a unique dating trend where people prefer confessing their intentions and emotions via text message versus over the phone when in-person interaction isn’t an option.
Study results from CommBank and telco provider More, revealed 1 in 5 Gen Zers have broken up with a partner through text message.
“Most people would prefer it, as it saves a really awkward chat,” Kean, 26 told news.com.au.
“I think we’re fundamentally averse to conflict. Calling someone and telling them you’re ‘just not that into them’ is probably more of an emotional roller coaster to ourselves than to the person receiving the end.”