Posted on Feb 21, 2024

Apparently, Gen Z'ers Leave Their Phones On "Do Not Disturb" 24/7 For A Very Specific Reason, And I Don't Know How To Feel

"I do not even know what my phone notifications or calls sound like."

by Dannica Ramirez

BuzzFeed Staff

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Screenshot of a smartphone Do Not Disturb setting with options to allow notifications from selected people and apps

Recently, X (formerly known as Twitter) user Max Burns stirred up some discourse when he said, "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."

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.
— Max Burns (@themaxburns) February 12, 2024

Twitter: @themaxburns

For further context, Max told BuzzFeed, "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."

Of course, Gen Z'ers chimed in to validate the tweet, with one user saying, "I do not even know what my phone notifications or calls sound like."

i do not even know what my phone notification or call sounds like sdflkjghsfdg https://t.co/sPHRnGvsAn
— 🎀 Zoe 🌸 (Lillies bunbun) (@Mitsuha__Chan) February 16, 2024

Twitter: @Mitsuha__Chan

Another user put it plainly, saying, "yeah that's me."

yeah that's me https://t.co/yMxI6MMIu8
— katsumashi 🔆 ~ 🎧🏳️‍⚧️ THE NAMELESS GIRL OUT NOW (@katsumashii) February 13, 2024

Twitter: @katsumashii

However, many millennials came to the podium not only to defend their use of the Do Not Disturb function but also to point out that it's not just a Gen Z thing to do. "i don't think it's a gen z thing I think it's overall anxiety of being plugged in 24/7," one user stated.

almost everyone i know (primarily millennials) has their phone on silent plus do not disturb on - i don’t think it’s a gen z thing i think it’s overall anxiety of being plugged in 24/7 https://t.co/NlC9dWGqwP
— amil (@amil) February 17, 2024

Twitter: @amil

Another millennial replied to the original tweet and said, "Calling someone on their cellphone when you aren't in a life or death situation is disrespectful af. Like, what makes you think you're entitled to my attention right that moment [...] ?"

Millenial here. Calling someone on their cellphone when you aren't in a life or death situation is disrespectful af. 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?
— 🏳️‍🌈Jonathan Randall👾🎮🕹 (@NY_Knux) February 13, 2024

Twitter: @NY_Knux

There were even some Gen X representatives partaking in the conversation:

Not Gen Z, but X. My phone is always on DND with a whitelist. I don’t have time to deal with that crap.

You’re whitelisted if I want to talk to you. Otherwise text or leave a message. Don’t email me either, unless it’s a contract.
— Atheseus (@QuantumMagick) February 13, 2024

Twitter: @QuantumMagick

"My phone is always on DND with a whitelist," one user wrote. "I don't have time to deal with that crap. You're whitelisted if I want to talk to you. Otherwise text or leave a message."

However, many people took to the replies to say that putting their phone on Do Not Disturb has less to do with anxiety and more to do with the number of spam calls they receive on a daily basis.

I'm 35 years old and I keep my phone on do not disturb 24/7 because loud notifications are annoying and if you're calling me unexpectedly you're probably a scammer https://t.co/lGEgmUjodZ
— Hugh Brechin (@HughRBrechin) February 13, 2024

Twitter: @HughRBrechin

"99% of calls are scammers, insurance fraud, and political spam," a Twitter user said. "1% is from my mom."

99% of calls are scammers, insurance fraud, and political spam

1% is from my mom https://t.co/sd4NxALT5s
— Ashe (@ladyinsanity) February 13, 2024

Twitter: @ladyinsanity

Oh, and some people simply just don't want to be disturbed.

I do this because I'm 40 and I don't want to be fucking bothered. https://t.co/0wPf4Mbbsd
— The Oshborn (@DaveOshry) February 13, 2024

Twitter: @DaveOshry

Fair.

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Apparently, Gen Z'ers Leave Their Phones On "Do Not Disturb" 24/7 For A Very Specific Reason, And I Don't Know How To Feel

The "Do Not Disturb" feature on mobile phones is commonly used when you're busy at work, about to go to sleep, trying to study, and...when you're trying to avoid anxiety?

Recently, X (formerly known as Twitter) user Max Burns stirred up some discourse when he said, "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."

The tweet has 5.1 million views and has garnered over 600 replies, with people of all ages weighing in.

Of course, Gen Z'ers chimed in to validate the tweet, with one user saying, "I do not even know what my phone notifications or calls sound like."

Another user put it plainly, saying, "yeah that's me."

However, many millennials came to the podium not only to defend their use of the Do Not Disturb function but also to point out that it's not just a Gen Z thing to do. "i don't think it's a gen z thing I think it's overall anxiety of being plugged in 24/7," one user stated.

Another millennial replied to the original tweet and said, "Calling someone on their cellphone when you aren't in a life or death situation is disrespectful af. Like, what makes you think you're entitled to my attention right that moment [...] ?"

There were even some Gen X representatives partaking in the conversation:

However, many people took to the replies to say that putting their phone on Do Not Disturb has less to do with anxiety and more to do with the number of spam calls they receive on a daily basis.

"99% of calls are scammers, insurance fraud, and political spam," a Twitter user said. "1% is from my mom."

Oh, and some people simply just don't want to be disturbed.

My phone suffers from perpetual dryness, though, so maybe that's why hearing notifications doesn't bother me that much. That, and whenever I get a spam call, I just block the number immediately. Anyway, using the poll below, I need to know the state of your phone right now.

Apparently, Gen Z'ers Leave Their Phones On "Do Not Disturb" 24/7 For A Very Specific Reason, And I Don't Know How To Feel

The "Do Not Disturb" feature on mobile phones is commonly used when you're busy at work, about to go to sleep, trying to study, and...when you're trying to avoid anxiety?

Recently, X (formerly known as Twitter) user Max Burns stirred up some discourse when he said, "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."

The tweet has 5.1 million views and has garnered over 600 replies, with people of all ages weighing in.

Of course, Gen Z'ers chimed in to validate the tweet, with one user saying, "I do not even know what my phone notifications or calls sound like."

Another user put it plainly, saying, "yeah that's me."

However, many millennials came to the podium not only to defend their use of the Do Not Disturb function but also to point out that it's not just a Gen Z thing to do. "i don't think it's a gen z thing I think it's overall anxiety of being plugged in 24/7," one user stated.

Another millennial replied to the original tweet and said, "Calling someone on their cellphone when you aren't in a life or death situation is disrespectful af. Like, what makes you think you're entitled to my attention right that moment [...] ?"

There were even some Gen X representatives partaking in the conversation:

However, many people took to the replies to say that putting their phone on Do Not Disturb has less to do with anxiety and more to do with the number of spam calls they receive on a daily basis.

"99% of calls are scammers, insurance fraud, and political spam," a Twitter user said. "1% is from my mom."

Oh, and some people simply just don't want to be disturbed.

My phone suffers from perpetual dryness, though, so maybe that's why hearing notifications doesn't bother me that much. That, and whenever I get a spam call, I just block the number immediately. Anyway, using the poll below, I need to know the state of your phone right now.

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