Is Online Schooling Harming Your Child’s Social Skills?

Is Online Schooling Harming Your Child’s Social Skills?

The global shift to online education, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought forward concerns regarding its long-term impact son children’s social skills. While online learning can offer flexibility and academic continuity, it often lacks the face-to-face interactions that are essential for developing communication, empathy, and peer relationships (Harvard Graduate School of Education).


Social Development in Childhood

Social skills are not merely about interaction; they are developmental milestones acquired through play, shared tasks, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. These foundational experiences are often learned in physical group settings such as classrooms, playgrounds, and extracurricular activities (Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory). The absence of such environments in online education limits opportunities for organic social growth.

Early Childhood Concerns

Preschool-aged children are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in social development. A 2022 study in Turkey compared two groups of five-year-olds, one receiving in-person education and the other attending online classes. The study found that children in face-to-face settings showed significantly better progress in social adaptation and fewer instances of social incompatibility (Günindi, 2022). These findings suggest that digital environments may not offer the richness of interpersonal stimuli required at this developmental stage.


Behavioral and Emotional Challenges

Children in online schooling environments have shown elevated levels of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Research conducted by Michigan Medicine reported that students enrolled in remote schooling exhibited higher levels of hyperactivity, peer issues, and attention problems than their in-person counterparts (Michigan Medicine). These behavioral issues are often linked to reduced physical activity, lack of routine, and minimal social interaction.

Similarly, findings from the Harvard Graduate School of Education revealed increased rates of anxiety, frustration, and emotional withdrawal in students engaged in prolonged online learning during the pandemic (Harvard Graduate School of Education). These emotional stressors not only affect academic performance but also hinder social confidence and resilience.

Adolescents and Long-Term Social Skills

Adolescents, while more adaptable, are not immune to the drawbacks of online education. A study conducted through Walden University evaluated the social skills of high school students enrolled in online versus traditional schooling. Results showed that students in traditional settings had slightly higher social skill scores, though some differences diminished over time with increased digital experience (Walden University Dissertation, 2015). These outcomes imply that while older students may eventually adapt to online learning environments, initial delays in social development are still notable.

Mediating Factors

1. Social Isolation and Motivation

Online education environments often lack spontaneous peer interaction, contributing to social isolation and diminished motivation. Studies indicate that children who are not exposed to regular social engagement experience increased levels of loneliness and disconnection (Clanbeat, 2022).


2. Parental Involvement

The home environment plays a critical role in mediating the effects of online learning. Children with supportive, tech-literate parents tend to perform better socially and academically. Conversely, children lacking such support experience greater emotional difficulties and reduced engagement (Tulane School of Professional Advancement).

3. Socioeconomic Disparities

The digital divide disproportionately affects students from underprivileged backgrounds. Inadequate internet access, shared devices, and limited parental availability can impede both academic progress and social development (Australian Research Council, 2023).


Online Collaborative Interventions

Despite these challenges, well-designed online learning systems can support social development. A 2025 research initiative introduced the Collaborative Online Learning Program (COLP), a 16-week online model incorporating long-term team projects and peer collaboration for children. The program successfully fostered social engagement when adult mediation was present (Zha et al., 2025).

Impacts on Future Interpersonal Skills

Deficits in socialization during childhood and adolescence may extend into higher education and the workplace. In a national employer survey in Australia, graduates who completed online degrees were rated lower in collaboration and communication skills compared to those educated in traditional settings (The Australian, 2023). This reflects the long-term implications of reduced social exposure during formative years.

Strategies for Parents and Educators

1. Integrate Social Learning in the Curriculum

Schools should intentionally include group discussions, peer-review sessions, and virtual breakout rooms to simulate in-person social environments (Harvard Graduate School of Education).

2. Encourage Emotional Literacy

Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs should be embedded in digital classrooms to help students understand and express emotions, resolve conflict, and build empathy (JAMA Network).

3. Ensure Synchronous Interaction

Real-time video classes promote facial recognition, tone interpretation, and real conversation—key elements of social presence theory (Wikipedia: Social Presence Theory).

4. Bridge the Technology Gap

Policymakers must address infrastructure issues by providing students with reliable internet, devices, and digital literacy training (Australian Research Council, 2023).

5. Foster Offline Engagement

Parents should facilitate daily offline social experiences like playdates, sports, and community activities to balance screen-based education (Clanbeat, 2022).

Discussion

While online education offers convenience and continuity, it cannot fully replicate the social dynamics of traditional classrooms. Children and adolescents need regular, unstructured, and emotionally rich social interactions to build life-long skills such as cooperation, leadership, and empathy. Therefore, educators and parents must adopt deliberate strategies to preserve social development in virtual settings.


Conclusion

Online schooling, if not carefully structured, may impede children's social development, particularly in early childhood and adolescence. However, the negative effects can be mitigated through strategic interventions: blended learning models, social-emotional programs, structured peer interactions, and inclusive digital access. To foster holistic development, education systems must evolve—not only technologically, but socially.



References

  • Günindi, Y. (2022). Effect of Online Education on Children’s Social Skills During COVID‑19. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education.

  • Michigan Medicine (2021). Children in Remote School Faced More Sleep, Behavior, and Social Challenges.

  • Harvard Graduate School of Education (2022). Negative Effects of Remote Learning on Children’s Well-Being.

  • Walden University Dissertation (2015). Social Skills Comparison of Online and Traditional High School Students.

  • Clanbeat (2022). Children’s Social Development While Learning Online.

  • Tulane School of Professional Advancement (2023). Why Social Interaction is Important in Online Learning.

  • Australian Research Council (2023). Equity in Digital Education During COVID-19.

  • Zha, Y. et al. (2025). COLP: Scaffolding Children’s Online Long-Term Collaborative Learning.

  • The Australian (2023). Employer Doubts About Online Learning Are Increasing.

  • Wikipedia (2023). Social Presence Theory.

  • JAMA Network (2021). Mental Health and Online Learning During COVID-19.