Every person across the world has been affected by COVID-19 to some degree. For example, some may have suffered from the infectious disease, lost a loved one, experienced a career change, or had to self-quarantine.
Yet, the pandemic hasn’t only affected people’s physical health and finances, but it has also taken its toll on mental health, especially young people.
Many teenagers have struggled to avail themselves of COVID treatment online over the last year and a half, and the pandemic has impacted them in different ways. Find out how COVID-19 has affected young people.
Social Isolation
As the pandemic forced teenagers to study at home and avoid social contact, many teenagers have struggled with isolation. For example, many teenagers have reported that COVID-19 has negatively impacted their connection to their friends, which can cause or exacerbate emotional health issues.
As social interactions and peer groups are a fundamental aspect of adolescent development, it is natural that many teens feel anxious and disconnected from their friends and the rest of the world.
Depression and Anxiety
A lack of face-to-face interaction, remote learning, health anxiety, and future uncertainty has also led to a rise in mental health conditions among teenagers. What’s more, the pandemic may have exacerbated existing mental health conditions further, which could have developed into depression, suicidal ideation, or severe anxiety.
Any parent who suspects their child is living with a mental health issue, such as depression, must seek professional help. There are teenage depression treatment centers that can create tailored treatment plans for a young person’s specific needs, such as anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or trauma.
Academic Disadvantages for Poorer Households
As the pandemic forced students to embrace remote working, many children may be at an academic disadvantage, especially those from poor households with no digital access or utilities. As a result, school closures haven’t affected young people equally, as some are more at risk of falling behind on their education than others.
A Relief from Classroom Bullying
The pandemic has provided some teenagers with various positive benefits. For instance, young people who were bullied at school before the pandemic likely enjoyed remote learning, as it may have provided relief from physical or verbal abuse each day.
Yet, stay-at-home orders have led to an increase in cyberbullying, as it reportedly increased by 70%. For this reason, parents must monitor their child’s online behavior to identify if they are a victim of bullying, or if they are bullying others.
Conclusion
As you can see, the pandemic has impacted teenagers in various ways, which varies from mental health challenges to academic performance. For this reason, parents and schools must aim to identify teenagers’ struggles and find a solution to support their health, improve their grades, or strengthen relationships with their friends and classmates.
To do so, they must talk to teenagers about their emotions and concerns, look for signs of depression and anxiety, find ways to increase bonds among students, and provide educational support to help young people reach their academic potential.
