Online School for Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is a common disorder that can affect children, adolescents, and adults. If your student suffers from social anxiety, they might find it challenging to succeed in an in-person educational setting. Online learning may help students struggling with social anxiety reach their academic goals in a comfortable, supportive environment.
What is social anxiety?
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a chronic fear of being negatively judged or humiliated in everyday social situations or performances. It triggers the brain's natural fight, flight, or freeze response, causing physical or emotional distress.
Common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of social anxiety in students may include:
Sweating, blushing, or shaking around others
Stuttering or a rapid heart rate when speaking to others
Feeling of "mind going blank" when trying to talk to others
Extreme self-consciousness and fear of embarrassment
Avoidance behaviors at school and in social situations
Thinking a lot about social situations long after they've ended
Feelings of depression or loneliness
Is social anxiety the same thing as being shy?
How does school trigger social anxiety?
For students with social anxiety, spending the day surrounded by peers can be an overwhelmingly negative experience. Commonplace activities such as eating in the cafeteria, playing at recess, or answering a question in class can cause these students a lot of stress.
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Social Anxiety & Daily School Routines
School days are often structured so that students spend time in groups from the moment they arrive until the final bell. Students play, learn, eat, and rest surrounded by peers and teachers. Students with social anxiety may avoid eating lunch, participating in class, or even attending school altogether to avoid feeling "trapped" in a perpetually social environment. Online learning can offer greater flexibility and more breaks between interactions.
Social Anxiety & Bullying
Unfortunately, another common trigger of social anxiety at school is bullying. Bullying and cyberbullying can profoundly impact a socially anxious student's self-confidence and feelings of self-worth when left unaddressed. The stress of bullying can also exacerbate your student's social anxiety symptoms and make academic success even more difficult.
Online School for Social Anxiety: A Solution
Online learning provides students with social anxiety a safe and supportive environment where they can learn and grow as individuals. Without the pressure of socializing and performing in front of others, students can complete assignments free from distractions while still receiving personalized instruction from state-certified teachers.
Is online school better for anxiety-affected students?
Online schools like those powered by K12 can help students with social anxiety because they eliminate unnecessary social stress and distractions that may inhibit learning. Online school also offers students the chance to communicate and interact with peers with more autonomy, instilling confidence and reigniting a love for learning.
Students have more control over when and how they engage in conversations, making it easier for them to stay socially connected without feeling overwhelmed. K12 is committed to supporting the mental health of our students, including students with social anxiety.
Benefits of Online Learning for Students with Social Anxiety
Online learning allows students with social anxiety to learn from anywhere, reducing or eliminating the restrictive social constraints of traditional brick-and-mortar schooling.
Online schools like those powered by K12 can help students with social anxiety learn without the stress of being judged or criticized.
Some core benefits of online school for anxiety reduction include:
A safe and supportive learning environment
Control over social interactions and communication
Reduced pressure on classroom performance
More autonomy in learning styles
Improved self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall well- being
Continued access to personalized instruction and support from certified teachers
K12 Supports Students
At K12, we support a diverse range of learners and provide the resources and guidance they need to regain the confidence to succeed in school and beyond. Explore our programs to see what might be the best fit for your student.
Social Anxiety & Academic Performance
Something as small as getting called on to read or solve a math problem on the board may be enough to trigger an intense anxiety response for a student with social anxiety. This might make it feel impossible to focus on learning. Without the flexibility to choose their learning style, students with social anxiety may fall behind in academic growth.