TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Nearly one in five Taiwanese schoolchildren display signs of social anxiety, the Taiwan Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF, 兒福聯盟) reported Tuesday (March 24). The survey reveals children often feel more comfortable socializing online than in person. Social anxiety affects outgoing children as well, not just those who appear quiet or withdrawn, the foundation said.
The trend mirrors global patterns of rising youth anxiety, with researchers worldwide reporting children and adolescents experience increasing anxiety levels despite expanded online connection opportunities. The World Health Organization states one in seven people aged 10 to 19 experiences a mental disorder, representing 15 percent of the global disease burden for this age group. Mental health experts say the findings underscore an urgent need for intervention across educational systems.
Experts identify digital communication as a key factor behind the anxiety surge. In 2023, up to 95 percent of youth ages 13 to 17 reported using social media platforms, with more than a third saying they use social media "almost constantly." From Taiwan to New York to London, childhood has undergone a fundamental shift, producing a generation constantly connected online but often less comfortable with face-to-face interaction.
The Taiwan survey reveals social anxiety often remains invisible to adults, creating significant challenges for early identification and intervention. Even children who described themselves as outgoing showed signs of anxiety, suggesting confidence in public settings may mask internal stress. Researchers say this disconnect makes it harder for parents and educators to identify which children need support, potentially leaving many struggling without proper assistance or intervention.
Experts say several forces may be converging to create the current crisis affecting children's social development. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted years of in-person learning and socialization for children across Taiwan and globally, leaving lasting effects on peer interaction. Academic expectations remain high while much of children's free time has shifted to screens, reducing opportunities for face-to-face social development and relationship building.
Digital platforms can offer connection and support, but also allow users to control interactions in ways that may hinder social development. Users can edit responses, avoid uncomfortable situations, or disengage entirely from challenging conversations online. Over time, researchers say this may reduce exposure to experiences that build confidence: disagreement, spontaneity, and face-to-face communication with peers, teachers, and family members.
The Taiwan survey points to what researchers describe as a weakening peer support system among schoolchildren. Nearly half of all children surveyed said they seldom receive comfort from those around them, including classmates and friends. Without stronger emotional support, experts warn, many children may continue to struggle in silence, even as they appear to function normally in the classroom. ◼
>>> MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, please call Taiwan's 24/7 crisis hotline at 1925 (Ministry of Health and Welfare). Additional support is available through the National Mental Health Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Teacher Chang counseling hotline at 1-800-273-8255. All services provide free, confidential support. | 心理健康資源 | 珍愛生命 請撥打 1925 | 全國心理健康專線 1995 | 張老師專線 1980