Half of People in Their 20s Say "It's an Intrusion on Daily Life, It's Scary"... Heart Sinks the Moment the Phone Rings

40.8% of Gen Z Report Experiencing ‘Colpophobia’
Preference for Text-Based Communication Has Risen for Three Consecutive Years
The Pressure of “Speak Now”

The moment the phone rings, it may be a welcome call for some, but for others, it can feel like an abrupt intrusion. While you can open a message whenever you are ready, a phone call is a way for someone else’s schedule to suddenly intrude on your daily life. Recently, the phrase "a phone call feels like being grabbed by the collar" has resonated online and in the media, succinctly capturing this sentiment.

Coulrophobia refers to the phenomenon of feeling burdened or uncomfortable with phone calls and thus avoiding them. It means preferring communication through messengers such as KakaoTalk or Instagram DM (Direct Message) rather than phone calls. Pixabay

On June 11, Yonhap News highlighted the phenomenon of "callphobia," which refers to the anxiety and stress people feel about making or receiving phone calls. Until now, callphobia had been viewed as a characteristic of Generation Z, who grew up accustomed to text-based communication through platforms like KakaoTalk, Instagram DMs, and text messages, making real-time voice conversations uncomfortable for them. In fact, according to a 2024 survey by AlbaCheonguk of 765 members of Generation Z, 40.8% of respondents reported experiencing symptoms of callphobia. In the same survey, the rate of respondents with callphobia increased from 30.0% in 2022 to 35.7% in 2023, and to 40.8% in 2024.

The reasons why phone calls are difficult are also clear. Generation Z respondents who reported callphobia cited "having to answer immediately without time to organize thoughts" as the biggest burden. Other frequent responses included concerns about "not being able to speak properly" and that "text or instant messaging is more comfortable." There were also reports of anxiety and nervousness before calls, intentionally delaying or not answering calls, and repeatedly replaying what they had said during a call afterward.

The New Communication Anxiety: Pressure for Immediate Replies, Fear of Mistakes, and Preference for Written Records

The recent shift is that callphobia is no longer simply a generational issue. Among office workers as well, phone calls are becoming an increasingly burdensome way to handle work. Phone calls require immediate judgment and response, while texts or emails allow you to organize and review the content before replying. Especially in environments where mistakes can directly impact work evaluations, communication that leaves a record—such as text messaging—feels safer than handling things verbally.

The recent change lies in the fact that callphobia is not simply a generational issue. Even among office workers, phone calls are becoming an increasingly burdensome way to handle tasks. Phone calls demand immediate judgment and response, whereas texts or emails allow for organizing the content and replying after reviewing it. Pixabay

Similar trends have been observed in overseas surveys. In a UK survey on work-related phone calls, 65% of office workers reported experiencing some degree of phone anxiety over the past 12 months, and 62% said they had avoided work calls due to nervousness or anxiety. Notably, 67% of those aged 25–34 and 65% of those aged 35–44 said they had avoided calls due to anxiety, showing that phone avoidance is not an issue limited to younger generations.

The core issue is not that people have come to dislike communication itself, but rather that they feel burdened by communication they cannot control. Messages allow you to choose the timing and manner of your reply, and emails give you the chance to review materials and refine your sentences. In contrast, phone calls require instant reactions to the other person’s tone, silence, or unexpected questions. What is a benefit for some—fast communication—can feel like pressure to others.

From 'Unexpected Intrusion' to 'Considerate Appointments': A Shift in Communication

The spread of AI is accelerating this change. Now, people turn to AI for help with difficult replies, apology messages, rejection phrases, and drafts of work emails. While it is helpful for refining expressions and reducing conflict, it also means that opportunities to communicate directly and resolve issues face-to-face are decreasing. Society is becoming one where sentences are preferred over spoken words, and edited responses over real-time conversation.

The core issue is not that people have come to dislike communication, but rather that they have become burdened by communication they cannot control. Messages allow you to adjust the timing and manner of your response. Pixabay

Some analysts suggest that the intensification of political polarization following events such as martial law and impeachment has also contributed to a decline in overall social dialogue. Woontak Lim, a professor of sociology at Keimyung University, said, "As ideology becomes excessively rigid, people find building relationships themselves exhausting, and the ability to embrace different perspectives is weakening. There is also a growing tendency to send a message and not care whether a reply comes, or to respond casually with just an emoji." He added, "Although society is moving toward more uncomfortable communication, communities such as families and schools need to serve as places where dialogue can be restored and learned."

It would be wrong to dismiss phone calls as an outdated form of communication. In urgent situations, conversations where emotional nuance is important, or moments when misunderstandings need to be resolved quickly, phone calls are still effective. The important thing, however, is not to force people to use the phone, but to recognize that even phone calls require notice and consideration.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.