Children and adolescents may appear to be at low risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, but

pandemics are otherwise significantly disrupting their lives. Social distance and interruptions in
typical school routines can be particularly challenging for adolescents, says two Johns Hopkins
experts.

The biggest impact of adolescence comes from school closures, staying home with family and not
being able to meet friends and colleagues. Adolescents have different developmental needs than
adults. Teens are in a stage of life that is heavily invested in social connections and separation from
their parents. Therefore, the social distance requirement of COVID-19 has different emotional
effects than adults. Depending on age and developmental stage, some young people may have a
hard time understanding what a pandemic really means and how it affects the world.

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