The pandemic has changed what “friendship” looks like for children and there are some things that parents should know. Friendships and relationships are important for a child, and their development. It is important that they have a group of friends they can turn to for some fun, support and companionship. This always seemed like such a simple concept, but the pandemic has changed what friendship looks like as classes moved online and playdates were no longer considered “safe.”

According to She Knows and Education & Travel Guide, the pandemic has changed friendships between children and even complicated them, and there are some things parents should be aware of. While children are generally free to make their own bonds with people, parents play a large role in the friendships their children have.

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Part of the problem is how friendships have moved to the digital world. Young friends are now texting each other or talking online and they are missing out on face-to-face conversations and connections that are vital. One mom shared her story about how arguments and fights were happening with her daughter and her friends due to this disconnect that they were having due to the pandemic.

Dr. Francye Zeltser is a child psychologist and she stated that lockdown had children away from their peers, and while this may have enhanced friendships that were already established, it alienated other children who were unable to make new friends or find a friend group they could fit into. She also pointed to the pandemic as having an impact on children who can be friends, and this relates back to parents and their individual beliefs about the pandemic, face masks, and even vaccines. If one friend's family does not follow guidelines and makes another family nervous, they may not allow their child to go and play with their friend. This is going to have an impact on friendships.

However, the experts are also stating that friendships at their core are all about surviving. For example, the school system is still based on “hierarchy” and there will still be the popular group, the “nerds” and the jocks who sit together at lunch. This is not something that is likely to change, but how children interact with each other is likely to change, and parents need to be mindful about their words surrounding the pandemic as to not make the situation harder for their children.

Sources: She Knows, Education & Travel Guide