The Impact The COVID Pandemic Has Had On Teenagers (Guide for Parents)

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It is not exactly a secret that the coronavirus (COVID) pandemic has significantly impacted people of all backgrounds. It has impacted individuals, families, small businesses, children, and adults. In particular, the COVID pandemic has had an impact on teenagers. During the pandemic, teenagers have been overlooked significantly. The mortality rate of COVID is lower in teenagers compared to the elderly, and teenagers are rarely direct participants in the workforce; however, it is essential not to overlook the impact of the COVID pandemic on teenagers. What are some of the most significant ways the COVID pandemic has impacted teenagers? There are a few essential points that everyone has to keep in mind.

1. A Lack of Social Development

One of the most significant ways that the COVID pandemic has impacted teenagers is through a lack of social development. There is a lot of development that takes place during the teen years, and this includes social development. When teens are stuck in their homes and unable to go to school, they do not get to develop socially. It is essential for teenagers to be involved in romantic relationships, make new friends, and make mistakes along the way. That way, they can learn from those mistakes and continue to grow as people. In many ways, the COVID pandemic has robbed teenagers of those typical social milestones. The result is that teenagers do not have the social development they need to be successful adults.

2. An Increase in Mental Health Issues

The next significant impact of the COVID pandemic has been a dramatic rise in mental health issues among teenagers. Teens already have higher mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, than adults. These mental health issues become more common when the COVID pandemic completely upends their lives. Parents and caregivers must ensure their teens access their mental health services. If overlooked, these mental health issues can do actual harm to teenagers.

3. A Loss of Independence

Teenagers have also lost a significant amount of their independence. Currently, teens are still stuck at home, living with their parents. They cannot go anywhere, their parents still cook and do laundry for them, and they can rarely do anything without their parents knowing. In essence, teenagers do not have to make as many decisions as they used to. As a result, they do not have the same level of independence they once did. The result is stunted growth and a lack of personal identity. This is something that parents and counselors will need to address with teens shortly.

4. Lost Extracurricular Opportunities

It is critical not to overlook that the COVID pandemic has also resulted in a loss of extracurricular opportunities for teenagers. While teens have to go to school from home, it is just as important to highlight the lost sports seasons, musical opportunities, and work opportunities that teens usually use to create well-rounded personalities and boost their resumes. Teens learn a lot as they go through their extracurricular activities; when those opportunities are taken from them, they lose out on that growth.

5. A Sense of Pessimism About the Future

Finally, perhaps the most significant impact of the COVID pandemic on teens is that they now have a sense of pessimism regarding the future. Teens simply do not have as much experience to draw from compared to adults. For teens, they may think that this is the way the world is going to be forever. This can color their perception of the world and negatively influence their decisions. It is critical for adults to maintain an open dialogue with the teens in their lives to ensure they give them the support they need.

The COVID Pandemic Has Had a Major Impact on Teenagers

These are just a few of the most significant ways the COVID pandemic has hurt teens. While it is easy to overlook teenagers, ensuring they still have access to the support they need is critical. While it is true that some parts of life are starting to go back to normal, it is also true that there are residual scars from the COVID pandemic that will continue to be felt for many years to come. Therefore, it is incumbent on everyone to ensure that all people of all backgrounds have access to the support they need. This includes teenagers.