Ring, ring… ignored: The slow death of phone calls in a hyper-connected Cameroon 📞

Cliquez ici pour lire en français

It’s becoming a familiar scene. The phone rings — and keeps ringing. But no one answers. Not because no one’s there, but because the call is intentionally ignored, postponed, or sent straight to voicemail. In Cameroon, as in many parts of the world, answering a call is no longer automatic. Texts, voice notes, and messaging apps have taken over. These days, people only call — or pick up — when it’s really urgent.

A deep shift in habits 🔄

Across both cities and rural areas, the decline of voice calls isn’t just a passing trend. It’s now a social norm. More and more Cameroonians prefer asynchronous or written communication. While the shift spans all age groups, it’s particularly noticeable among the younger generation.

“When someone calls me without warning, it feels almost aggressive. Why not send a message first?” says Éliane, a university student.

She’s far from alone. Many see phone calls as disruptive, intrusive, and poorly timed.

“I can’t answer my phone anytime — my job doesn’t allow it. If it’s important, leave a message, even if it’s something serious. Picking up a call means I have to give you time I don’t always have,” explains Boris, a construction worker.

Too invasive, not convenient enough 📱

Today, messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram dominate communication. People want to respond on their own time, choose their words, and avoid the pressure of real-time conversations. Phone calls demand instant focus — and that can be stressful.

“With a message, I can reread it, think it through. A call puts you on the spot. And most of the time, it’s about something you could’ve just typed,” says Emmanuel, a sales agent.

Add in noisy environments, unreliable connections, or even social anxiety, and it’s easy to see why phone calls are falling out of favor.

Urgency sets the new rules 🚨

People will still pick up — but only when it matters. For work calls, family emergencies, or repeated calls from unknown numbers, they’ll answer. And even then, how long the call lasts often depends on who’s calling.

“If I didn’t tell you to call me, it probably isn’t urgent. Just send a message — I’ll see it when I can. Honestly, I answer based on priority. If I know you’re just calling to say hi, I’ll probably ignore it. Better to text,” says Junior, a student.

The trouble is, this habit has crept into everyday relationships. Friends, partners — even close connections can be affected. Missed calls lead to misunderstandings, and some relationships suffer because no one picks up, even just to show they care.

The fear behind the ringtone 😟

There’s also a quieter reason some people avoid answering: fear. For many, an unexpected call triggers anxiety. Bad news, an accident, a family crisis — the ringtone becomes a warning sign.

“One morning my phone wouldn’t stop ringing. I just knew something was wrong. When I finally picked up, they told me my uncle had passed away. Since then, I get scared when it rings too much,” says Carine, an entrepreneur.

Cost and digital realities 💸

Another reason texts are winning? They’re cheaper. Even with call bundles, many Cameroonians still find voice calls expensive. By contrast, texting over Wi-Fi or mobile data is practically free — especially for students or those watching every franc. Maintaining enough credit for calls and a stable internet connection feels like a double expense.

“I just top up data. Calls are for emergencies. You can chat all day with 100 francs of internet. And as students, everything’s online now anyway,” explains Joseph, a university student.

A change not everyone welcomes 🤔

Not everyone’s on board. Older generations especially worry about what’s being lost — the nuance of real conversation, the human voice, the space to really check in.

“People don’t want to talk anymore. Even inside the same house, you get a message instead of a real conversation. That’s not how it should be. We need to listen to each other. Someone could say ‘I’m fine’ while lying in a hospital bed,” says Madeleine, a mother.

When calling becomes rare, relationships can start to feel transactional. Emojis and voice notes replace real discussions. Some feel emotional closeness is being sacrificed for convenience.

“My boyfriend never calls. He just texts me ‘you up?’ on WhatsApp. It feels like we have nothing real to say,” says Stéphanie.

Are we heading toward a new balance? ⚖️

Phone calls aren’t disappearing — they’re being redefined. Once a daily habit, they’ve become purpose-driven. We call to confirm something, settle a matter, or get direct answers. Everything else? It gets written down.

That might just be the new normal. Society evolves, and so do our communication tools. But whatever the method, what matters most is keeping the connection alive.

We want to hear from you!
Do you still pick up when someone calls? Or do you prefer to message? Tell us how you handle communication in the digital age 💬