Multiple pandemic-related threats to children’s well-being
Among summer’s postcard-perfect shots are merry children frolicking in playgrounds, amusement parks or beaches. Sadly, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, schools and public spaces have been shut down for months in an effort to curtail the spread of the virus. The compound effects of economic downturns and lockdowns are causing children to experience undue distress, which could provide a warning of future mental health problems.
Research informs us that adverse childhood experiences can have negative and long-term effects on people’s physical health, well-being, and life outcomes. For example, these experiences increase the likelihood of suffering from chronic diseases and engaging in risky behaviors. Furthermore, the accumulation of prolonged stress leads to toxic stress, which can affect brain development, attention span, learning, decision-making, and relationship-building. In adulthood, people can suffer from depression and struggles with finances, keeping jobs, and forming longterm relationships.
The current situation is especially formidable for children and youths, who are facing onslaughts on their mental and physical well-being from many angles. Perhaps the main disruption to children’s routines is school attendance. Global closures of schools have disrupted the learning and development of more than 91 percent of students, or 1.57 billion children, according to UNICEF. A recently published study in The Lancet confirms that school closures during this pandemic have affected children’s mental well-being, as they have been unable to access mental health support, peer support groups, and the face-to-face services normally offered in schools.
Academic performance is likely to be impacted, as students miss out on individualized instructions from their teachers and a lack of parental support to make up for that. Access to informative and entertaining extracurricular activities has also been limited. Many schools have been ill-equipped to deal with distance learning and, consequently, students have been unable to connect remotely because of a lack of access to technology. School closures also affect children’s nutrition.
Additionally, interaction with some key figures in a child’s life has been restricted due to social distancing measures. And a lack of recreation is further intensifying stress levels among children.
Each day, we are inundated with news of COVID-19’s horrific impacts on the global economy and the millions of people it has afflicted or claimed. However, we must not forget the millions of children who have also been victims of this pandemic. Policymakers are responsible for drawing up solutions to alleviate the many challenges facing children. Firstly, governments need to assist households that have been struggling to maintain their livelihoods and incomes by providing cash transfers. Secondly, local governments can partner with volunteers to design community-based programs that assist children in coping with stress. Additionally, information on parenting skills and family relationship management during the pandemic needs to be widely available. Lastly, measures need to be put in place to protect children from domestic violence.