Why are so many young Aussies are avoiding phone calls 'at all costs'?

Experts say the art of conversation is "being lost" as many young Australians continue to avoid phone calls.

According to data from CommBank, 60 per cent of Gen Z dread making or accepting a phone call, while people aged 18 to 26 would prefer to text than talk on the phone

Some millennials also find it rude to receive calls unexpectedly because they believe something is wrong, including from their parents.

Rowan Associates leading child and family psychologist Clare Rowe said the ability to make a phone call is a key communication skill.

"As a society, we're losing this art of conversation and the ability to engage in meaningful and spontaneous dialogue," she said.

"I absolutely think it's more than 60 per cent of young people.

https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/too-scared-why-young-australians-are-avoiding-phon/embed?style=Cover

"(There's an) absolutely clear trend where they increasingly avoid phone calls, they absolutely have a preference for text-based communication, they find phone calls intrusive, annoying and a lot of them do say it produces this sense of anxiety.

"I'm not sure if it's social anxiety or it's more they don't have the practice of making phone calls."

Rowe said parents had a role to play in encouraging this skill in their children.

"I do think there's a huge responsibility on parents to be able to teach their children how to order something in a restaurant, how to pick up a phone and engage in a conversation and I think the art of deep conversation is being lost," she said.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.