Teenagers Suffering More During COVID-19

By : Erin Leonard Ph.D.
Source : Psychology Today
Outgoing kids may be doing fine online during COVID-19, but young adults who have a quieter style may be suffering.
Gregarious teens are fueled when they have the opportunity to take center stage on social media. Bold and aggressive, they control the online group chats and activities. Dominating the social milieu, they may unintentionally leave some friends behind.
The quiet kids who worry about hurting a friend’s feelings often shy away from aggressively inserting their opinion. Although this is conscientious and selfless, it is frequently this type of teen who may be struggling.
The moments this teen spends thinking about how to constructively contribute to the conversation are quickly seized by a less thoughtful teen in the group chat who blurts out a sentiment and diverts the conversation. After a few minutes, the quiet and thoughtful teen is now a few steps behind. Eventually, it is almost impossible to break into the chat without sounding completely obtuse.
Yet, it is the shy and thoughtful teen that is frequently the voice of reason and safety. So, helping this segment of the teen population may also help steer a slew of teens in a healthier direction. Understanding a teen’s developmental and situational plight is critical when attempting to help.