TAIPEI (TVBS News) — More than half of Generation Z in Taiwan fear making or receiving phone calls, according to a 2022 survey by Whoscall, an app offering caller identification services, and 518 Job Bank (518熊班).
The phenomenon, known as “telephobia,” is not classified as a formal psychological disorder, but manifests as fear or anxiety when making or receiving calls. It is sometimes accompanied by symptoms like increased heart rate and rapid breathing.
Huang Yang-ming (黃揚名), head of the Department of Psychology at Fu Jen Catholic University (輔仁大學), attributes this anxiety to the rise of instant messaging, which has made people more accustomed to texting. He explains that many scams and advertisements are also delivered through calls, gradually causing people to avoid answering them.
Huang highlighted that phone anxiety reflects broader issues in interpersonal interactions. While messages allow time for thought, phone calls demand immediate responses, leading to potential awkward pauses.
Overcoming telephobia is essential, as it can lead to issues in social life and reduce work productivity.
In response, many companies have introduced communication courses to help employees improve their verbal skills and phone etiquette.
Telephobia reflects changes in communication patterns and may also point to underlying social anxiety. To overcome it, taking communication courses can be helpful, but it's equally important to understand the psychological factors involved.