Social Anxiety and Bullying – How an Online Education Can Help

There are at least 15 million adults who suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder, but what’s more: 36% of adults reported they experienced symptoms of anxiety for ten years before seeking professional help, and 64% of children who are bullied don’t report it.

If you are the parent of a child who suffers from social anxiety or bullying, then you know the pain your son or daughter experiences. You understand that everyday social situations—even pleasant ones—can be incredibly stressful, and full of embarrassment or fear.

Anxiety and fear can interfere with daily routines, academic performance, and social interactions, making it difficult for children to complete school. Later in life, anxiety and fear can make getting (and keeping) a job difficult, and negatively impact friendships and romantic relationships.

The Warning Signs

Several signs are associated with social anxiety and bullying. Individuals who suffer from either one may:

• Find it difficult to have a conversation with others.
• Feel extremely embarrassed and self-conscious in front of others.
• Have a constant fear of being judged.
• Avoid social activities.
• Become anxious or nervous before an event.
• Have difficulty making friends and maintaining friendships.

   

How to Combat Social Anxiety and Bullying

The best way to combat bullying is to stop it before it starts. One way of doing that is by having the community come together to send a unified message against bullying. This can be done by launching an awareness campaign at the school to help educate students, faculty, and parents of the life-long effects bullying can have on a student.

Tips For Teachers

• Be aware of bullying, and knowledgeable
• Make parents and students a part of the solution
• Set positive expectations about behavior

Tips For Parents 

• Look for the signs that your child might be a victim of bullying
• Teach your child how to handle being bullied
• Educate your children and yourself about cyberbullying

Tips For Students

• Report all bullying
• Don’t bully back
• Be aware of your surroundings, and avoid being alone

Online Alternatives

Students who have anxiety are often bullied at school due to their lack of social skills. The effects of bullying are long lasting: victims become more insecure and less confident. Their health may be affected, too.

By taking online courses, students have the same learning opportunities as those in traditional classrooms, but they learn from the comfort and safety of their own home, without social stressors. In turn, they can gain confidence and be better prepared to handle difficult issues and people.

There are benefits for parents, as well. With an online education, parents can:

• Adapt teaching methods best suited for their children.
• Spend extra time with their children.
• Create a flexible schedule.
• Shelter children from school violence, drugs, bullying, and other negative behaviours that frequently occur in a public school setting.
• Spend extra time helping their children develop special interests or talents.

How Flex ED Can Help

Flex ED offers a unique education alternative that embraces a “school without walls” approach to learning. The program is flexible to meet the growing needs of students and their families in the greater global community. Flex ED’s empowerment model for teaching and learning is on the cutting edge of educational trends, upholding the philosophy that school occurs wherever learning takes place. Through technology, social media, and teacher support, students learn and grow in a safe, supportive online environment.

Flex ED provides the complete Saskatchewan curriculum of education, supervised and marked by a Saskatchewan certified teacher.

Whether students are looking for an online school or need help supplementing a homeschool curriculum, Flex ED can help to facilitate those needs. Learn more at www.flexed.ca.