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It's something most people do without thinking twice about it.
But a new survey has revealed how ringing the doorbell is leaving many Gen Z petrified.
Research from Uswitch.com shows that a third of youngsters would rather text or call when they arrive, instead of ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door.
'We spent years making doorbells smarter – fitting cameras, Wi–Fi, two–way speakers – only to stop pressing them altogether,' said Uswitch technology expert Simrat Sharma.
'For younger people, especially, ringing the doorbell has gone from the default to an unusual choice.'
The news will come as no surprise to many youngsters, who often take to social media to discuss their hatred of doorbells.
On X, one user said: 'Our generation doesn't ring the doorbell, we text or call to say we're outside.'
Another joked on Instagram: 'Knocking on the door is becoming an ancient source of communication.'
It's something most people do without thinking twice about it. But a new survey has revealed how ringing the doorbell is leaving many Gen Z petrified
For the survey, Uswitch.com asked 2,000 Brits about what they do when they arrive at a friend's house.
Overall, 14 per cent of respondents said they'd call or text rather than ringing the doorbell.
However, age appears to play a role in your choice – with older people more likely to opt for the doorbell or a good old–fashioned knock.
A third (33 per cent) of Gen Z said they opt for a text or call, with nearly one in four (23 per cent) of Millennials doing the same.
As part of the survey, the researchers also asked respondents the reason for their choice.
The results revealed that for younger Brits, it's about not wanting to intrude.
Among Gen Z who text or call, more than a third (39 per cent) say it feels less intrusive, while nearly one in five (19 per cent) say ringing the doorbell simply feels too formal.
Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23 per cent) think their friend is more likely to hear their phone than a knock at the door.
A third (33 per cent) of Gen Z said they opt for a text or call, with nearly one in four (23 per cent) of Millennials doing the same
Ms Sharma explained: 'It's a sign of how central our phones have become, not just for calls and messages, but for managing the small social rituals that used to happen at the front door.
'The smartphone has quietly rewritten the etiquette of showing up.
'As our phones take on more of that social load, the connection itself matters more. A dropped call or patchy signal isn't just an inconvenience, it could be a friend left waiting on the doorstep.'
@asherglean posted a skit about the phenomenon on TikTok, writing: 'Getting to your friend's house and texting them "I'm here" instead of knocking on the door.'
And based on the comments, he's not alone.
'I be waiting in the rain getting soaked and still not knocking sometimes,' one viewer commented.
Another said: 'I end up calling immediately to prevent me being outside for long.'
And one joked: 'just happened yesterday. I knocked softly, then texted "knock knock".'
The news comes shortly after research revealed that many Gen Z are now scared of driving.
Experts from Tempcover surveyed youngsters about the common motoring tasks they find the most daunting.
Changing a flat tyre was the biggest fear, while parallel parking, hill starts, and merging onto a motorway were also found to terrify hundreds of young drivers.
'The research exposes a hidden crisis on our roads where a generation of drivers, despite being legally qualified, are finding the reality of driving so overwhelming that it is potentially life limiting,' said Jake Lambert, an expert at Tempcover.
'When motorists are turning down promotions or missing interviews because they are too anxious to drive to the location, this ceases to be just a motoring issue and becomes a broader societal one.
'Confidence comes with experience, but if drivers are avoiding the road, they never bridge that gap.'