As February 2021 rounds the corner, there seems to be a distant light at the end of the long, isolated tunnel. January 2021 began with the highest Coronavirus numbers reported. At almost 500,000 total deaths, the pandemic has indubitably affected every household in America. February has brought more vaccinations, and fewer deaths and cases, however the improving numbers cannot cancel out the damage which has been done. For teenagers specifically , there have been massive changes to daily life, which have impacted people and families differently. As schools closed in March to ensure the safety of faculty, staff, and students, E-learning opened a world of new possibilities for some students, and led to massive educational gaps for others. E-learning has been one of the most incriminating factors pointing towards the inequities in our society. For many teenagers, schools are a safe place which provides food, education, resources, a support system, friends, and so much more. Students E-learning across America don't have access to resources to learn, are struggling financially, and are stuck in dangerous situations. Too many students are left to fend for themselves without access to a computer, or internet connection at home. When the pandemic began, more than 23 million Americans were laid off or fired, causing many families to struggle financially. Families struggling to put food on the table, are not considering how strong or reliable their bandwith is, and if each of their children have computers. While too many families are struggling, and receiving no federal aid, American children's educations are unfortunately disregarded and therefore suffering. Regardless of a pandemic, many teenagers rely on school for food, some of who get their only meal of the day at school. As more families struggle financially, adolescents no longer have the safety net of knowing they will be fed at school. This creates food instability in families, and while pay is being reduces, and workers are being laid off, food is becoming more expensive, and more family members are living at home. In addition to a lack of resources, and financial struggles, there are also too many houses across America where abuse and dangerous conditions are prevalent. Students who have no choice other than to learn in an environment which is potentially unsafe. Computers are powerhouses of distraction, vortexes which suck in susceptible faces until hours have passed, and felt like minutes. E-learning has had huge implications, especially for students who struggle to pay attention in a classroom in person. Many students are finding roadblocks, especially students who experience ADHD and ADD. ADHD and ADD are both very similar neurological disorders which many children, adolescents, and adults struggle with. People with ADHD struggle with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention. E-learning has been especially hard for some students with ADHD, as school became overnight an eight hour day sitting in front of a computer in the same place. For the privileged in America, E-learning has been an adjustment, but has it's benefits, such as sleeping in, getting to wear whatever and eat whenever. However, there are too many students who are struggling in countless ways to learn virtually. The American school system is failing students by not creating and cultivating equitable education for all students.
Not just E-learning, but daily life among a global pandemic is extremely mentally taxing on all Americans. For young people, suicide rates have risen, and mental health for many is at an all time low. Due to lack of social interaction, heightened screen time, and constant fear have massively impacted the mental health of teenagers. In a time of maturing, the specific changes to our lives have changed the way children are growing up, not just adolescents. Limited social interaction for all people is unhealthy, but for a developing mind, can be even more damaging. What is now known as the "mental health pandemic" is ravaging America, especially young people. A recent study published that about 1 in 3 young adults are experiencing anxiety and or depression as a direct consequence of isolation, uncertainty, fear, and lack of motivation. These numbers especially pertained to young women, and those financially burdened. These new or worsening mental health problems allude to the different consequences of the pandemic, beyond physical health, and mass loss of life.
As American teenagers navigate the world amidst a global pandemic, each young adult is experiencing the trials and tribulations of adolescence among Covid-19 differently. For some, it means worse mental health. Others are dealing with the loss of friends or family members, some are trying to aid their financially struggling families, and others are filling in their educational gaps independently. While the long term consequences of the pandemic are still unknown, it can be made certain that the generation of American adolescents growing up amid Covd-19 will be unlike any generation before them.
If you are looking for more information regarding mental health, use this link! https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/stress-coping/young-adults.html
If you are looking for more information regarding ADHD amidst E-learning, use this link!https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/features/adhd-and-school-changes.html