How is the coronavirus crisis affecting young people? Our colleagues from RTL talked with the director of the centre for psycho-social and educational support (CePas).
The confinement was a straining situation for adolescents, Keipes noted during her interview with RTL
Just like most of us, young people were deprived of regular social interactions during the lockdown. However, these contacts represent a crucial aspect in the formative years of adolescence, which is why the gap might have more severe consequences than anticipated.
Especially the elevated usage of phones, televisions, and computers gives reason for concern. A recent study revealed that 35% of participating teenagers stated being reachable at all times. Although the online world was a great solution to maintain contacts during the lockdown, it cannot be considered a substitute for real social interactions.
Keipes furthermore highlighted the addictive potential of screens, and noted that parents need to lead by example when it comes to educating their children about adequate usage of the digital tools.
