Testing the effects of Covid-19 confinement on the socialisation behaviour of Saudi children in 4-10 years age group

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the day to day lives of people around the world. Billions of people have been locked down in their homes as governments’ aggressive and sweeping measures to contain the spread of the virus. The impact of this prolonged home confinement is expected to be high on certain vulnerable groups of individuals such as young children.  This research investigated how covid-19 confinement has affected the socialisation behaviour of children. Qualitative data was collected using focus groups with 49 parents and primary school teachers. The findings indicate that the covid-19 confinement has affected the socialisation behaviour of children. In the period immediately after the lockdown, children were reported to exhibit reduced activity, playful behaviour and inquisitiveness. They were exhibiting signs of social alienation as they interacted less with people outside their families. The interaction barriers imposed on them to shield them from the virus has begun to erode their ability to explore and learn by interacting with the unfamiliar outside world. This research also finds that increased usage of digital devices has filled the void created by the lack of usual day to day routine things and play activities. The worrying sign is the continued usage and, to some degree, increased dependency on these digital devices. Children are spending more time on these devices and beginning to develop a habit of digital interaction instead of face to face interaction.