Expert: Masks could be ‘frightening’

MASK-WEARING for primary school children could be ‘frightening’ at first but they will also be able to adjust over time, according to a child psychologist.

This week primary teachers union the INTO suggested children over six should wear face coverings in school, as is required for secondary students and all teachers.

Vincent McDarby, a clinical paediatric psychologist, said that there hasn’t been significant research carried out on the impact of mask-wearing in an educational environment for children so if this were to become a Department of Health recommendation, it would be a step into ‘unchartered territory’.

He told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Returning to an environment with everyone wearing a mask has the potential to be very frightening. A lot of the social cues children pick up on to work out if someone is friendly, not friendly or happy or angry are coming from the face.

‘There would also be difficulty with trying to get children to comply properly. Younger children might remove masks because they find it uncomfortable so adherence may be an issue. You’re probably going to have a small cohort of children who may find it uncomfortable.

‘There’s no research that has been done on it that I’m aware of but children generally adjust, for the most part they’re compliant when they’re told to do something and they’re told why they have to do it.’

Mr McDarby said it was important to be aware of children who have learning and behavioural difficulties who might find wearing a mask anxiety-inducing.