Section 7: How the pandemic affected children’s mental health and wellbeing
(vi) Boredom
(vii) Increased pressure on senior students
Some children commented on the boredom of
remote learning. Sometimes this was because
they felt it was ‘too easy’ and not challenging
enough for them. Others said that it was boring
because there was no interaction with teachers
and peers.
For children in the senior years of schooling,
the disruptions to school-based learning were
particularly worrying. They commonly expressed
concerns that they could not meet expectations
or would fail to do well in their final year exams
because of the pandemic. Many senior students
also commented on the increased amounts of
schoolwork that they were expected to complete
during the remote learning periods.
ho me
learning at
in
I didn’t like
all the work
o
d
to
d
a
h
because I
r more than
fo
n
e
re
sc
a
y eyes
front of
ally go to. M
su
u
s
r
u
o
h
l
o
scho
t the
o m lo oking a
fr
t
r
u
h
re
e
o rk
w
times my w
e
m
so
d
n
a
all
n
scree
ha d to do it
I
d
n
a
,
e
v
uch
wo uldn’t sa
as just so m
w
re
e
h
t
d
n
again a
pressure.
a specific
These findings are consistent with the AHRC’s
report on the impacts of COVID-19 on children
using Kids Helpline, with the impact of COVID-19
on education raised as a significant concern by
high school-aged students.34
9–11, from
—Girl, aged
und, SA
hnic backgro
cultural or et
The scr
ee
incre dib ns were
ly
the zo o annoying at
m chat
s
yo u wa
nte d to because
chat to
yo ur fr
ien
differen ds in a
t
I fo un d class an d
it
muscles straining
in yo ur
not get
bo dy,
ting en
o ugh
exercis
e.
—Girl,
Children, and parents/guardians and
grandparents also spoke about the continuing
pressures on Year 12 students, even when
remote learning had ended. This was due to the
ongoing requirements for masks and testing,
and absenteeism caused by children, families
and teachers catching COVID-19.
(viii) Increased screen time
aged 9–
11, NSW
a
atching s
w
e
k
li
t
make
I don’
eens. It
r
c
s
f
o
lot
d.
me tire
sed
disclo
with un 1, who
d
il
h
C
—
1
aged 9–
gender, nguage other
a la
speaks
me, NSW
sh at ho
li
g
n
E
n
ha
t
Some children raised concerns about increased
screen time which led to fatigue, sore eyes,
headaches, and tiredness. Issues specific to
technology are also discussed in more detail in
section 7.7.
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‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 71