The Impact of Online Education on Children during the COVID 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Covid - 19 is a global health crisis that has had a profound impact on the whole world. Children are at risk of becoming the biggest victims because of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the education system and social process, occurred with the replacement of online education for school education. Hence, this study examines, these changes have the impacts of online education what are on children as a result of the Covid - 19 pandemic? This is qualitative research. 20 semi-structured interviews with parents of grade 6-11 students have been conducted by using the purposive sampling method. The collected data was analyzed by using thematic analysis. However, this study is limited examining parents' perceptions of the impact of online education on children during the pandemic. Findings show that, the emerging digital education environment impacts children's education, development, and behavior. Online education changed the traditional educational system and gave new experience in utilizing new technology, digital equipment, and learning techniques and practiced facing new situations for children. Despite that, it seems children are being overused and abused by these technologies and digital tools. It became the reason for reducing the child's tendency towards learning. Accordingly, the digitalization of social interactions has made an impact on a child's Socialization process and social development. Behavioral changes have also occurred in the child. In this way, although online education has given children new experiences and knowledge, a child's social development is at risk. Thus, online education has had positive as well as negative impacts on children during the COVID -19 pandemic.