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July 20, 2026
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Kids’ Social Anxiety is Off the Charts
A recent publication from the National Center for Education Statistics found that “87% of public schools reported that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted student social-emotional (SEL) development during the 2021-22 school year.”
Underlying that staggering number are increased incidents of classroom misconduct, rowdiness, disrespect of authority, and use of prohibited electronic devices.
As the 2022-23 school year gets underway, parents and school staff are anticipating continued SEL issues as a result of the prolonged disruption in systems, services, and support over the past two years.
In the first of a 3-part series on this topic, Smart Brief interviewed Rosemary Anderson, a licensed mental health professional with years of experience in schools.
“What we’re seeing,” said Anderson, “is students who have severe social anxiety, who want to remain in the virtual world. And then finally, depression, as well as a lack of motivation to even complete assignments or be reintegrated into an academic environment.”
According to Anderson, there are some “red flags” to keep your eye out for as your child navigates re-entry into the school setting:
- A child who was formerly outgoing and is now introverted, or vice-versa: a child who was shy but is now overly outgoing
- A lost connection with a group of friends
- A lack of motivation, lethargy, general disinterest
- For elementary age kids, there might be more crying, isolating themselves at school,
- For middle-school age kids, disconnection from social groups, or switching social groups suddenly
- For high-school students, dropping grades, lack of motivation, anger, outbursts, disrespect, not going to school, and failing assignments
If your child shows signs of any of these social-emotional issues, it could be that they are struggling with anxiety. That’s your cue to engage with the school, a medical professional or a mental health practitioner.