Children and COVID: Understanding the Psychological Effects on Young Minds

When the world shut down in early 2020, children watched silently from the sidelines. Schools closed. Playgrounds emptied. Birthday parties vanished. For many adults, the pandemic was about survival. For children, it was also about confusion, isolation, and sudden emotional change; experiences that have quietly shaped a generation.

While children were physically less vulnerable to the virus, the psychological effects of COVID-19 on young minds have been significant and far-reaching. Globally, millions of children lost not just routines, but also safety nets with the likes of teachers, friends, extended family, and community support systems.

In India, where nearly 41% of the population is under 18, the impact has been particularly profound. Lockdowns in densely populated areas meant children often lived in confined spaces, with limited access to outdoor activity or digital learning. For many in low-income households, school closures didn’t just affect education, they cut off access to midday meals, safe environments, and emotional support from teachers.

Even in more privileged settings, children experienced a unique kind of grief, a kind of grieving in a sense of normalcy, stability, and physical connection. Milestones like first days of school, graduation ceremonies, or simply walking together to school with a parent were lost. Young children struggled with delayed speech and social skills; older kids reported anxiety, sleep issues, and academic burnout.

According to a 2022 UNICEF report, more than 1 in 7 children globally were affected by lockdown-related mental health challenges, including loneliness, mood swings, irritability, and even symptoms of depression. In India, mental health professionals saw a sharp increase in children reporting exam anxiety, social withdrawal, and a fear of “catching up” academically.

What makes this psychological toll even more complex is that children often don't have the vocabulary to express their distress. Instead of saying "I'm anxious," a child might complain of stomachaches, throw tantrums, or suddenly become clingy. Teenagers can retreat into the screen or become angry. Both these behaviors are not rebellious; they are silent pleas for help.
And for parents and caregivers, the stress was huge. They were having to manage financial insecurity, bereavement, homeworking, and home-schooling, in many cases without the skills to emotionally look after their children. The ripple effect was a household-wide stress environment where anxiety, though unspoken, was deeply felt.

What can be done now, as we slowly emerge into a post-pandemic world?

First, we must recognize that emotional recovery for children isn’t automatic, as it requires active listening, structure, and safe spaces to talk. Parents and educators need to be patient and observant. Open-ended questions such as, "What was the most difficult aspect of last year for you?" or "What are you missing from life prior to the pandemic?" can initiate valuable dialogue.

Second, schools must make mental health a priority in addition to academics. Restoring confidence, social skills, and friendships is just as important as math catch-up. School counselors, mental health workshops, and play-based healing are not luxuries, they’re essential components of recovery.

In India, the National Mental Health Programme and recent school-based initiatives are steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done especially in rural and underserved areas.

Finally, professional support should be destigmatized and accessible. Just as we wouldn’t hesitate to treat a broken bone, we must normalize therapy and counseling for emotional wounds. Early intervention can make a world of difference. Our goal is not just to treat distress, but to build emotional resilience for the future.

Because children may be small in size, but their emotional worlds are vast and what they’ve lived through in the past few years deserves to be acknowledged, understood, and healed.