When the Bell Rings, a Sense of Emergency Strikes... The Phone Phobia Engulfing Generation Z [World is Z Gold]

'Call Phobia' Among Generation Z
Preference for Texting Over Phone Calls on the Rise
Educational Programs to Overcome Call Anxiety Introduced

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is gaining attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [The World is Z Gold], we aim to shed light on the lives and values of Generation Z worldwide and explore how they are transforming society.

The number of Generation Z experiencing so-called 'call phobia' is increasing. Pixabay

Globally, the number of Generation Z individuals experiencing 'call phobia'?a fear of phone calls?is increasing. This phenomenon refers to a preference for text-based communication such as text messages or emails, while avoiding phone calls. Those suffering from call phobia feel anxious when the phone rings, and in severe cases, may exhibit physical reactions such as cold sweats and a rapid heartbeat. As this phenomenon spreads, some educational institutions overseas are running programs to boost confidence in phone calls.

The U.S. economic media outlet CNBC recently highlighted the growing number of Generation Z individuals expressing anxiety before answering phone calls. In fact, a survey conducted last August by the UK consumer site Uswitch, targeting 2,000 adult men and women in the country, found that 23% of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they 'do not answer phone calls.' Additionally, 61% of them preferred texting over calling.

Liz Baxter, a career counselor at Nottingham College in the UK, said, "Generation Z lacks experience in making and receiving phone calls," adding, "As they become accustomed to communicating via text messages or social networking services (SNS), the frequency of phone call usage is gradually decreasing." She further noted, "In a class of 25 to 30 students, at least three-quarters experience anxiety about using the phone."

The main reason Generation Z fears phone calls appears to be a 'fear of unpredictable situations.' Donna (16), a student at Nottingham College, told the BBC in an interview, "Our generation is so used to texting that we feel very anxious whenever the phone rings," adding, "When the phone rings, I think it must be an emergency." Another student, Jack Kent (18), said, "Because the ringtone makes me nervous, I usually keep my phone on silent."

Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing reduced face-to-face communication, further decreasing the need for phone calls. As a result, Generation Z finds phone calls even more burdensome. Baxter said, "Social interactions decreased for two years due to COVID-19, which influenced the spread of call phobia," adding, "After exchanging only messages without face-to-face communication for a long time, having conversations via voice calls has become more difficult."

A similar phenomenon is occurring in South Korea. According to a survey conducted last year by 'Alba Cheonguk,' a domestic part-time job recruitment platform, 40.8% of Generation Z respondents reported experiencing call phobia. Notably, the preference for text communication steadily increased from 59.3% in 2022 to 69.9% in 2023 and 73.9% in 2024, while the preference for phone communication declined from 19.9% to 14.3% and then to 11.4% over the same period.

As call phobia spreads, some overseas educational institutions are operating seminars to overcome it. Nottingham College holds a 'phone training seminar' for students preparing for employment. In the seminar, students practice various scenarios based on everyday situations such as making hospital appointment calls or requesting sick leave at work. In particular, they learn how to communicate smoothly using only their voices while sitting back-to-back. Baxter emphasized, "Even a single training session noticeably boosts students' confidence. It is important for them to realize that answering the phone is not scary and to understand how actual phone conversations work."

Psychologist Carly Dover also suggested ways to overcome call phobia. He advised, "Feeling awkward during calls is natural, and there is no need to be perfect," recommending, "Start by practicing simple calls and gradually expand to more challenging topics." Dover proposed increasing call experience, not worrying excessively about mistakes during calls, and seeking professional help if the fear becomes severe.