Does online school help with anxiety? (Online vs Traditional)

In this guide, we will answer the question ‘Does online school help with anxiety?’ and we will talk about some of the signs and symptoms you could notice in a child and adolescent when they are experiencing higher levels of anxiety. Moreover, we will also discuss the pros and cons of online schools in contrast to traditional learning. 

Does online school help with anxiety?

You may be wondering ‘Does online school help with anxiety’ maybe because you have a loved one that suffers from mild to severe anxiety or you may be considering it for you. There are some clear advantages of online learning, such as allowing students to go at their own pace and/or having the opportunity to study at times that fit their needs.

However, it doesn’t mean that online learning is a permanent solution for academic or social anxiety. For instance, academic anxiety is excessive fear and worry associated with classes, assignments, tests and even the school environment. It could also be generalized or limited to a specific aspect of school so removing them from their environment seems to be an effective solution.

In contrast, it is believed that online learning may encourage the development of important life skills such as organization, independence and self-advocacy. As indicated by Arizona State University:

“Online learning gives students the freedom to work on their own time, at their own pace. For students with social anxiety who struggle doing simple tasks, this is especially helpful because they can slow down without feeling like they’re trailing behind their classmates. And for students who get anxious being in a crowd, an online school eliminates having to sit in a classroom full of people, making it easier for them to concentrate on their schoolwork.”

However, opinions are divided since some people believe online school will increase anxiety.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of online schools in comparison to the traditional way of schooling which causes so many students to suffer from anxiety and depression.

Anxiety disorders

Currently, it is believed that anxiety disorders are one of the most common disorders and are on the rise. More and more people every day seem to struggle with anxiety and a few years ago it was believed it only affected adults but every day kids are facing situations where they don’t seem to have enough coping skills to overcome the overwhelming and persistent fear that comes with them.

Going to school, having to adapt to the environment, making friends, attending classes, having to study for tests, living up to parent expectations, among other factors and situations, may lead to poor school performance and social withdrawal when there are no tools to cope with the pressure.  

Therefore, many children and adolescents may start to show some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders that may not be seen at first as part of a disorder but normal behaviour children and adolescents display. For example:

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing.
• Decreased school performance.
• Fear of going to school.
• Tantrums when having to do their homework.
• Headaches and/or frequent stomachs (or other affections).
• Restlessness. 
• Rapid breathing.
• Social withdrawal.

Subsequently, it is natural to wonder if online schools are better for children and adolescents that struggle with anxiety. However, remember that family life plays an important role in a child’s mental health as well as setting appropriate standards around school life and what is expected of them. Many parents would think that as long as their kids are safe at home, no bullying or bad social experiences can affect their child but the truth is that it may not be enough to prevent their anxiety from spiking or getting worse.

In reality, addressing the problem and providing our children with the tools to cope with difficult and stressful situations will allow them to face such situations differently in the future, meaning, we are not just talking about their current way of facing issues as children but also eventually as adults. 

If your child is struggling with anxiety, get one of these cuties home for them to have as a pet.

Is online school better for anxiety?

It is believed that online learning could benefit students who suffer from anxiety in many ways, one of them is having the possibility of learning and progressing at their own pace, in an environment where they are free from distractions and social drama. Also, as indicated by eachieve.com:

“Teachers are accessible by phone and email, students can attend optional weekly eSessions if they want a ‘virtual classroom’ experience, and each student has an academic advisor for individual support.”

We understand how tempting it is to pull your child out of their school to prevent them from having more negative experiences. As parents, we want the best thing for them but some studies have indicated that this might not be the best option. The best way of helping our kids to manage anxiety is by getting them professional help while they continue their education. 

However, you may be more in control of their social interactions and what they get to experience but the truth is that avoiding having them avoid social interactions won’t help them manage and cope with their anxiety. Social interactions are vital for students to develop important life skills to help them in the future.

Pros and cons of online schools

One of the pros online schools as we have mentioned is being able to learn in a controlled environment. Traditional schools try to be structured as possible but sometimes teachers struggle having to control 20 kids at once. It is difficult for some teachers to stay on top of their students’ learning and even more so, to detect when one or more are struggling with anxiety.

In contrast to traditional schools, online schooling happens mainly at home in a safe and controlled environment that is intended to tailor the student’s needs which is difficult to achieve in an actual classroom.

Moreover, there are minimal anxiety triggers which can reduce the frequency and severity of anxiety attacks when being at home. However, this could also be interpreted as a part of the cons if a child is never in contact with anxiety triggers because they will never have the chance to develop skills to cope with it.

In contrast, if a child learns online, they will not have the same exposure to social settings and situations as a child that attends a traditional school. This may eventually be detrimental in the future if they are kept away from social settings and situations entirely or kept to a minimum. Being taught online doesn’t mean your child should be deprived of social settings to help with their anxiety, on the contrary, they should be encouraged once they have the basic tools to face them.

The decision of pursuing online education instead of traditional education is not always an easy one to make especially if we are thinking about what could potentially be the best for our kids. But it is important to stay informed and evaluate the possibilities in the long term. 

Why is this blog about Does online school help with anxiety important?

As we have discussed when answering the question ‘Does online school help with anxiety?’, we have gone through the pros and cons of online learning. Mostly, we mentioned how it could be a good idea if your child suffers from anxiety due to the stress the normal school setting is causing. With online schools, we have a different learning pace and even schedules seem to work on the student’s favour.

However, since the environment is way more controlled than a normal educational setting, it could lead to avoiding social settings for your child to be secure and anxiety-free. But the truth is that it could be detrimental in the future. It is recommended to help them overcome their anxiety with the help of a professional so just having them in an online school may not be a more permanent solution to managing and coping with anxiety.

Please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts about the content of this article!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Does online school help with anxiety

References 

Eachieve.com: “How online school can be better for students with social anxiety”

Perspectivesoftroy.com: “Pros And Cons Of Online Schooling For Anxious Children: Anxiety Therapy MI”

Asuprepdigital.org: “Can Students With Social Anxiety Benefit From Online School?”