"This Feels Like an Intrusion Into My Life, It's Scary"... The Moment the Phone Rings, My Heart Sinks

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 a sudden intrusion. With messages, you can open them when you're ready, but a phone call means that someone else's schedule immediately intrudes into your daily life. The recent popularity of the phrase "a phone call feels like being grabbed by the collar" online and on broadcast media captures this sentiment succinctly.

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 focused on the phenomenon of 'callphobia,' where people feel anxious and burdened by phone calls. Until now, callphobia was considered a characteristic of Generation Z. The interpretation was that this generation, accustomed to text-based communication such as KakaoTalk, Instagram DM, and text messages since childhood, feels uncomfortable with real-time voice conversations. In fact, according to a 2024 survey of 765 members of Generation Z by Albacheonguk, 40.8% of respondents said they had experienced symptoms of callphobia. In the same survey, the callphobia response rate 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. Among Generation Z respondents who reported callphobia, the biggest burden was "having to respond immediately without time to organize my thoughts." Other common responses included "I'm worried I won't be able to speak properly," and "Text messages or messenger apps are more comfortable." Some also reported feeling tense or anxious before a call, intentionally delaying or avoiding answering, and replaying the conversation in their minds afterwards.

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

The recent shift is that callphobia is no longer just a generational issue. Even among office workers, phone calls are becoming an increasingly burdensome way to handle work. Phone calls require immediate judgment and response, whereas texts or emails allow you to organize your thoughts and reply after reviewing the content. Especially in environments where mistakes can directly affect work evaluations, text-based communication that leaves a record feels safer than spoken communication.

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

A similar trend is observed overseas. In a UK survey on work-related phone calls, 65% of office workers said they experienced some degree of phone anxiety in 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 reported avoiding calls due to anxiety, indicating that aversion to calls is not just an issue for 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 adjust when and how you respond. Emails enable you to check materials and refine your wording. In contrast, phone calls require you to react immediately to the other person's tone, silences, or unexpected questions. While fast communication is an advantage for some, for others, it creates pressure.

From 'Unannounced Intrusions' to 'Considerate Appointments'

The spread of AI is accelerating this change. Now, people often rely on AI to draft difficult replies, apology messages, rejection phrases, or work email drafts. While it is helpful for refining expressions and reducing conflict, it can also mean fewer opportunities to communicate directly and negotiate relationships in person. Society is becoming more accustomed to written sentences over speech, and edited responses over spontaneous conversations.

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 argue that the deepening political polarization following periods of martial law and impeachment has also contributed to a decline in overall social dialogue. Professor Lim Woontak of the Department of Sociology at Keimyung University said, "As ideological attitudes grow increasingly rigid, people find forming relationships itself exhausting, and their capacity to embrace differing opinions is weakening. There is also a growing tendency to send a message and not care whether a reply comes or to respond superficially with an emoji." He added, "Society is becoming more uncomfortable with conversation, but communities like families and schools must serve as learning spaces to restore dialogue."

It is not possible to completely dismiss phone calls as an outdated mode of communication. In urgent situations, conversations where emotional nuance is important, or moments when misunderstandings must be resolved quickly, phone calls are still effective. However, what matters is not forcing calls themselves but recognizing that even phone conversations should involve prior notice and consideration.

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