The coronavirus crisis is immensely stressful for many children and young people. Their routines of school, leisure and family have been severely disrupted, explained Schlechter.
The inherent uncertainty of the situation affects them, too. But public discourse is also a factor. It’s important to avoid stigmatising them as asymptomatic carriers who go around infecting people, he underlined.
One positive aspect, however, is that social media can help them keep in touch with their friends. So parents should be indulgent with increased screen time in these times.
Cancelled events and community life will also have a detrimental effect on many young people, as they will lose a lot of the structure that sports training or other group activities give them throughout the week.
René Schlechter explained that it is normal for children to behave “irresponsibly” during this crisis. Their job is to test limits. While this is obviously problematic during a pandemic, it is a standard aspect of growing up.
The coronavirus is an insidious, slow trauma that is draining all our energy without us noticing, says René Schlechter. Parents and teachers should take this into account and make sure they regularly check in on their kids’ wellbeing.
