Experts worry about psychological trauma from studying online for too long

In fact, there have been tragic incidents and psychological traumas that have occurred with students, especially elementary school students. Psychologists say that this time, allowing students to study online for a long time is much more dangerous than allowing students to return to school in person.

Red Alert

At the beginning of the new school year, incidents of students dying from electric shock and exploding phones during online learning have made many parents uneasy, especially in families where parents still have to go to work and "lock" their children at home.

For example, a 5th grade student in Ha Dinh ward, Thanh Xuan (Hanoi) was electrocuted to death while studying online. Later, a 5th grade student in Nam Dan district, Nghe An died when his phone suddenly exploded while charging and studying online. The above two incidents shocked public opinion, many parents shared that they were very worried, but because of the epidemic, many parents still had to "live with the epidemic".

Recently, an 8-year-old girl in Ho Chi Minh City was abused to death by her “stepmother”. Before that, this 8-year-old girl still attended online classes like many of her friends. But even her teachers and friends did not know that behind the classroom camera was her extreme pain and fear.

Image of a boy asking his mother for help through a camera in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai before giving the iPad to the thief

While the pain had not yet subsided, public opinion continued to be "shocked" by images extracted from a family's camera in Long Binh Tan ward (Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai): While their parents were at work, two brothers (7 years old and 5 years old) in a rented room were threatened by two young men who knocked on the door and took away an iPad - a tool used for online learning.

According to educational psychologists, the above incidents are just the “tip of the iceberg”. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thu Huong, Lecturer of the Psychology Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that many calls to the psychological counseling hotline have turned into cases of violence. Parents or even teachers have not yet recognized the psychological trauma of students. Or if they do, they lack information to connect in a timely manner.

Regarding recent incidents with students, especially primary school students, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thu Huong said that online learning makes it impossible for teachers to supervise all classes. At this time, the role is more of the family and those around the children. But in reality, many families do not have adults around to supervise their children studying online 8 hours a day. Working parents cannot supervise the quality of their children's learning, and their children's ability to fully grasp knowledge is also very precarious. Gradually leading to the situation of sitting in the wrong class.

“I recently read that a principal decided to hold back some students, determined not to let them sit in the wrong class. I think this is not a common incident, but it has happened and we need to consider the quality of learning after the pandemic,” Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thu Huong emphasized.

Acknowledging that online learning at home has a great impact on mental health, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Head of the Faculty of Education, University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that working parents cannot cover all the risks when their children are at home. The consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic such as: Social crisis, uneven social security, increased crime, if children at home do not have the skills to prevent accidents and injuries, respond to unexpected situations... then it is much more dangerous than at school.

“The uneven awareness between teachers and parents about online learning also unintentionally creates pressure on students. Specifically, most teachers transfer the entire curriculum directly to online learning, students studying online do not understand the need for family support, and parents cannot keep up with the program. The pressure of exams and ensuring knowledge will be poured on them. The group that is most affected by mental health is still students, especially young children," Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam cited.

Must have a route to school

Speaking to reporters from Tin Tuc newspaper, some educational psychology experts affirmed that it is impossible to let students stay home to study online for a long time.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thu Huong, although at this time the question of whether students, especially primary school age, should go to school or not is still a controversial question among managers, experts, schools, and parents. Going to school or not is still a problem when the risk of disease transmission is high, especially in Hanoi today. Compared to secondary and high school students, primary school students still do not have a vaccine to prevent the disease. But on the contrary, if students are allowed to study online forever, this is a very concerning issue.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thu Huong suggested that, given the above situation, the Government and the education sector should consider letting students return to school. This must follow a roadmap, for example, it is necessary to calculate what percentage of students will go to school in person. The first step could be 50% or 1/4 of the time of a week. At this time, online learning and in-person learning should be combined. When the epidemic problems decrease, the amount of time students go to school in person should be gradually increased. Students who go to school will be able to communicate, reducing many psychological problems.

Sharing this view, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam said that alternating the number of students returning to school is something that needs to be done right now. This also requires consistency from the whole society and the whole education sector. However, when studying during a pandemic, the education sector must also consider appropriate quality, not exam pressure.

According to educational psychologists, mental vaccines are being neglected. The healthcare and mental health care systems will need more investment in the coming time.

“For example, teachers need training on students' mental health and to identify signs to report to responsible agencies,” Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam emphasized.

According to Tin Tuc newspaper