Often singled out for their lack of solidarity with older generations since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, teenagers are far from being spared the effects of this bleak period. With online learning, limited social interactions and the lack of physical and cultural activities, COVID-19 has hit the mental health of teenagers hard, as revealed by the findings of a new US national poll.
What better time in life than adolescence? A carefree time for all manner of experimentation, for meeting new people, and a growing feeling of independence. At least, that's how it was before a global pandemic came along and shook up the lives of a generation that relies heavily on social interactions. A new national poll carried out by Michigan Medicine, the academic medical centre of the University of Michigan, reveals that teenagers' mental health has been particularly affected by the pandemic, and even more so by the restrictions imposed to halt the spread of COVID-19.
The survey is based on responses from 977 parents of teenagers aged between 13 and 18. Almost half of the parents polled (46 per cent) reported noticing a new or worsening mental health condition in their teenager since the pandemic started in March 2020. Girls seem to be more affected than boys, particularly when it comes to anxiety and depression.
In fact, teenagers' social lives have been at a halt for the best part of a year, which is taking its toll on their mental health. With lockdowns, social distancing and other restrictions, three in four parents said that covid-19 had negatively impacted their teen's social interactions, something that's highly important at this stage of life.