A college student, known as ‘A’, has a peculiar behavior when it comes to phone calls. They refuse to answer calls from unknown numbers, and even if they recognize the number, they prefer to send a text or message instead.
This behavior is not uncommon among young people in Korea and has given rise to the term “Call phobia.”
According to a recent survey conducted by the job search portal “Alba Heaven,” 35.6% of the MZ generation respondents said they experience symptoms of call phobia.
This represents a 5.7% increase from the previous year’s survey. Interestingly, call phobia is more prevalent among females, with 45.7% of female respondents reporting it compared to 20.9% of males.
The survey also revealed that a significant 75.9% of females prefer text-based communication over phone calls.
People with call phobia feel anxious both when receiving and making phone calls. They find it easier to send text messages even in situations where phone calls would be more appropriate.
The discomfort with phone calls has become widespread, with even celebrities like IU sharing their struggles with it.
In an episode of ‘IU’s Palette’ that aired in April, IU admitted that she finds long phone calls uncomfortable.
She explained, “I find it difficult to have a long phone call in one sitting. Even when I have a call with my mom, I become uncomfortable when a phone call comes.”
The survey outlined several reasons why phone calls are challenging for those with call phobia. The most significant challenge is the pressure to respond immediately without time to gather their thoughts properly, with 60.0% of respondents stating this as a concern.
Other concerns include the inability to express thoughts adequately (55.9%), a preference for non-face-to-face communication like texting (51.6%), difficulty in understanding the other person (29.5%), and anxiety when there’s silence (24.2%).
Those with call phobia often experience physical symptoms like high anxiety and increased heart rate when receiving phone calls.
More than half of them try to delay or avoid answering phone calls, and approximately 40% do not respond to calls from unknown numbers.
To cope with call phobia, some individuals minimize phone calls and rely on email and text messaging (28.8%), while others prepare a written script before making a call (28.4%).
It is worth noting that call phobia is not unique to South Korea; it is becoming a global issue. An August report from American media outlet CBS NEWS revealed that 90% of Gen Z in the United States have concerns about phone calls.
Experts suggest that call phobia is not a psychiatric issue and does not require treatment. They recommend starting with short conversations to ask about each other’s well-being and gradually increasing the time spent talking on the phone with someone the individual feels comfortable talking to.
In an online community, many Korean netizens expressed their difficulties in answering phone calls. Some shared their preference for text messages, stating that they feel more comfortable taking their time to think and respond.
Others commented on the changing dynamics of communication, with some feeling more at ease with phone calls and considering themselves “old-fashioned” for doing so.
Additionally, concerns about spam or insurance-related calls were mentioned as reasons for not answering unknown calls.
However, there were also opinions acknowledging that texts can be misinterpreted and that phone calls can be more direct.
Some individuals even admitted to feeling anxious just hearing the ringtone and preferred to silence their phones.
Overall, call phobia, or the aversion to phone calls, is a phenomenon experienced by many young people, both in Korea and globally.
While it may not require professional treatment, individuals can find ways to overcome their discomfort and improve their communication skills through gradual exposure to phone conversations.
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