Telephobia is Increasing: What!?!
By Shavkat
@Shavkat (140358)
Philippines
January 28, 2025 6:38pm CST
No matter what we do using our mobile phones, some young ones have been scared of making calls. This condition is called "telephobia." Based on Uswitch's survey, it revealed that 23% refrain from answering phone calls (aged 18 to 34), and the rest did not dare to answer unexpected calls for having bad news.
In the UK, Nottingham College took the initiative to help the youth population to overcome this kind of fear. I am not sure if it is also the same thing in other nations, but I noticed that most young ones do show this fear here in my country.
What do you think about this concern?
Is it common for young people in your country?
Do you know anyone who is "telephobic" ?
Image Credit: cdn.hswstatic.com
9 people like this
10 responses
@DaddyEvil (142615)
• United States
29 Jan
Pretty won't answer if someone calls her phone and won't answer mine if I'm in the shower or driving the car. 
I can answer the phone and then give it to her and she'll talk to someone for a minute or two... It's annoying.
She and I don't sleep at the same time but she gives out my phone number to her friends and to doctors. A lot of the time I'm asleep when her friends call because they see her doing something online so think it's a good time to call. *sigh* I sleep during the daytime so doctor calls for her always wake me up then I have to take my phone to her so they can talk to her.
My friends all know to send me texts so I can respond when I wake up... I'd rather text with people than call them.
I can answer the phone and then give it to her and she'll talk to someone for a minute or two... It's annoying.
She and I don't sleep at the same time but she gives out my phone number to her friends and to doctors. A lot of the time I'm asleep when her friends call because they see her doing something online so think it's a good time to call. *sigh* I sleep during the daytime so doctor calls for her always wake me up then I have to take my phone to her so they can talk to her.
My friends all know to send me texts so I can respond when I wake up... I'd rather text with people than call them.1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140358)
• Philippines
10 Feb
@DaddyEvil That is too tempting to do.
I wish I could go to the US. We can grill some meat at your backyard anytime.
I wish I could go to the US. We can grill some meat at your backyard anytime.1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140358)
• Philippines
31 Jan
As for me, there is nothing wrong if I receive or make calls. However, I prefer to send or receive SMS. Since I do not want to talk with someone, especially if it will consume my precious time.
I am glad that she does these things for you. It is also not my persona to receive calls when still in bed. I need my ample time to boost my energy. I might entertain it if it is really an emergency one.
I am glad that she does these things for you. It is also not my persona to receive calls when still in bed. I need my ample time to boost my energy. I might entertain it if it is really an emergency one.1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (142615)
• United States
31 Jan
@Shavkat 
You're too funny! I need you to come live with us and you can answer the phone when I go to sleep or am in the shower. I'll even cook meals for you. 
You're too funny! I need you to come live with us and you can answer the phone when I go to sleep or am in the shower. I'll even cook meals for you. 1 person likes this
@Namaco21 (235)
•
29 Jan
I think it's common here in our country also. Especially with the young ones. My sister is like that, she's 15 and doesn't like to order/do transactions over the phone, because according to her it's inconvenient and ineffective, and she gets tongue-tied whenever she speaks with someone over the phone; may it be to the delivery man, her friends, and even us her family. It's just weird though.
2 people like this
@Shavkat (140358)
• Philippines
31 Jan
I also noticed this with my eldest niece here. So, the course of action is to let her deal with the delivery man or call her most of the time if I am out of the house. I kept on telling her that she needs to be flexible in dealing with different sets of people. So far, she is improving with this concern.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (75647)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Jan
In a way I am, but there's a good reason why most people have developed this fear, and it's not because they're scared the person on the other end has bad news, but the fact you don't know and can't trutst the phone and who might be on the other end.
Deep fake technology has become more commonplace as well as number spooofing. Scammers use both to scam millions out of their life savings. Young people are more hyper aware of the scams, and know by answering the call, then the scammer knows they have n active number. Scammers often don't leave messages, but if it was important enough, then a real person would.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118395)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Jan
No problem around here, it's hard to keep them off of the phone.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140358)
• Philippines
30 Jan
I also noticed some young ones here are so comfortable making calls and the like. My eldest niece does not have the feeling of having the second thought of using her mobile phone. Although she prefers not to receive calls because doing things on it.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2384)
•
29 Jan
Yes, I used to be one of them. 
Then I had a long distance friendship that forced me to be on the phone "the old fashioned way" so I became more confident making and receiving calls, even from strangers. Except I still don't answer to most due to the fact they're likely to be spam.
Then I had a long distance friendship that forced me to be on the phone "the old fashioned way" so I became more confident making and receiving calls, even from strangers. Except I still don't answer to most due to the fact they're likely to be spam.1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140358)
• Philippines
30 Jan
When I was in primary school and high school, I never dared to answer or receive phone calls. I must say that I am an introverted soul. One time, my old man advised me to break free from being an introvert. I tried to develop the personality of being an ambivert. It was not easy, but I did it in a step-by-step progression. Now, I am not that anxious about receiving or calling calls.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140358)
• Philippines
10 Feb
@somewitch I guess that I am proud of myself to change my persona.
1 person likes this
