As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, social isolation takes its toll on the youth by limiting their social skills due to increased screen time from being isolated home.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
An absence of social bonds can lead to lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression and other disorders, according to The Conversation. There have been multiple experiments studying the brains of adolescent rats under isolated conditions to understand how it could be affecting our adolescents. It has been learned that it is vital for adolescents to connect, grow and play with others to enhance their brains structural changes and emotional development as reported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
The lack of social skills due to isolation can stress the brain if no intervention steps are taken. Fortunately, at this time in history, a vast amount of the population have connections to the internet. The use of the internet is fundamental for adolescent growth by staying connected through social media, messaging, video games, and real-time video chats as stated by Deccan Herald.
There are also activities to do during an adolescents time away from the screen to keep in touch with friends and family. Instead of sending a text to someone for a special occasion such as a birthday, make a gift or card and mail it to them. It is a more creative and personal way to reach out to others. Also, time spent with family while eating together without distractions such as phones; can build stronger relationships and better communication skills within the household as claimed by CNN.
It is also important to keep your mind occupied with hands-on activities such as at-home science experiments, gardening, cooking with your family, or focus on a new skill that interests you, according to the Psychological Health Center of Excellence.
It may be a difficult time to be a parent and student, however it would be best to look for the positives and continue connecting with others in creative ways while maintaining social distancing guidelines.
|
|
