Staff at schools in London say that having to rely on technology during the pandemic had a very detrimental impact on young people from underprivileged backgrounds.
The development of social skills was particularly affected, teachers told City News.
The loss of in-person interactions during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 meant that many children felt isolated at home, left without the daily contact which comes with going to school.
The Covid-19 Inquiry, which continues today, has already published evidence to suggest that more time spent online during the pandemic increased the risks of social isolation.
This has hindered children’s ability to build new connections and interact with each other effectively upon their return to the classroom.
Phone use increased during the pandemic. Image courtesy of Yura Fresh via Unsplash.
Teacher’s perspective of the pandemic
Samuel agrees – he teaches in one of London’s most deprived boroughs, Barking and Dagenham.
“Kids nowadays exhibit a noticeable lack of focus, combined with short attention spans and an inability to self-regulate,” he said.
“These signs were there already, but the pandemic exacerbated them.”
The borough already has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the capital – 12% above the national average – and Samuel says these negative social effects have been felt “more profoundly” by children from more disadvantaged backgrounds.
Lena, who works in Islington, also thinks that Covid has “widened the gap” between those from different socio-economic statuses.
Controversial former Education Secretary to be quizzed
The warnings come as teachers, educational leaders and politicians are giving oral evidence to the Covid-19 Inquiry under Module 8, which focuses on the impact of the pandemic on children and young people.
Former Education Secretary, Sir Gavin Williamson, will appear before the inquiry later today.
Sir Gavin Williamson led the Department for Education from 2019-2021. Image courtesy of AP.
Williamson oversaw a controversial period at the Department for Education, with his time in office being characterised by rows over school closures and the grading of GCSE and A-Level exams.
The hearings will run until next week.
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Standfirst
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Headline‘Profound impact’ of reliance on technology during pandemic on disadvantaged London kids
Short HeadlineNegative effects of social media worsened by pandemic
StandfirstChildren from poorer backgrounds struggled to learn social skills due to being away from school, say teachers
Staff at schools in London say that having to rely on technology during the pandemic had a very detrimental impact on young people from underprivileged backgrounds.
The development of social skills was particularly affected, teachers told City News.
The loss of in-person interactions during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 meant that many children felt isolated at home, left without the daily contact which comes with going to school.
The Covid-19 Inquiry, which continues today, has already published evidence to suggest that more time spent online during the pandemic increased the risks of social isolation.
This has hindered children’s ability to build new connections and interact with each other effectively upon their return to the classroom.
Phone use increased during the pandemic. Image courtesy of Yura Fresh via Unsplash.
Teacher’s perspective of the pandemic
Samuel agrees – he teaches in one of London’s most deprived boroughs, Barking and Dagenham.
“Kids nowadays exhibit a noticeable lack of focus, combined with short attention spans and an inability to self-regulate,” he said.
“These signs were there already, but the pandemic exacerbated them.”
The borough already has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the capital – 12% above the national average – and Samuel says these negative social effects have been felt “more profoundly” by children from more disadvantaged backgrounds.
Lena, who works in Islington, also thinks that Covid has “widened the gap” between those from different socio-economic statuses.
Controversial former Education Secretary to be quizzed
The warnings come as teachers, educational leaders and politicians are giving oral evidence to the Covid-19 Inquiry under Module 8, which focuses on the impact of the pandemic on children and young people.
Former Education Secretary, Sir Gavin Williamson, will appear before the inquiry later today.
Sir Gavin Williamson led the Department for Education from 2019-2021. Image courtesy of AP.
Williamson oversaw a controversial period at the Department for Education, with his time in office being characterised by rows over school closures and the grading of GCSE and A-Level exams.
