Effects of Online Learning on Mental Health

Online learning is on the rise. While many schools moved to virtual programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion began much earlier. From the 2013-14 school year to the 2022-23 school year, K-12 virtual school enrollment grew by more than 350,000 students, according to a report from Consumer Affairs.

While virtual school is convenient and provides learners with more independence in their education, it’s also important to consider the effect of online learning on students’ mental health. 

The Youth Mental Health Crisis

Over the past few years, there has been a mental health crisis among American youth. Rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide have risen drastically, especially among teen girls, leading to a declaration of a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health. While many people blame this spike on the pandemic and the ensuing shift in learning environments, experts believe it started long before lockdowns. 

As more and more students consider taking their education online—including you—the question must be asked: What are the effects of online learning on mental health?

Mental Health Effects of Online Learning

Virtual schooling has positive and negative effects on student mental health. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons, and you should weigh them based on your unique needs.

It’s hard to know exactly what the negative effects of virtual learning are on mental health because many of the studies were conducted during the pandemic, which was not a good case study for remote learning. Schools were forced to send students home overnight, and many did not have a virtual learning program in place. Programs put together quickly are not a good comparison to online schools that are built on research-based best practices. 

However, there are some takeaways from these studies that are worth considering, especially in regard to social inclusion and satisfaction with school, which can lead to mental health struggles. 

• Isolation — A study from U.C. Davis revealed that students who were able to attend school in person felt more included in their social groups than youth who relied on social media for their social interactions. The study also showed that students were not as successful in school and were less satisfied with their experience than they were the year before the pandemic.

That being said, not every student who learned remotely during the pandemic felt this way. One student’s pro is another’s con. For example, going to school remotely can reduce exposure to bullying, but it can also lead to isolation, which can have a negative impact on mental health. Oftentimes, students are reliant on school for their social interaction, and when they are not on campus each day around their peers, they become lonely, and we already know that social media is not a good substitute. When switching to a remote school, it’s important to identify other sources of social interaction to avoid isolation.

• Delayed Responses — Some students may experience stress if they have to wait for responses to questions from instructors in a virtual environment, particularly if they are working on courses outside of typical business hours. However, this can be mitigated if the virtual school you are attending provides access to features like 24/7 live tutoring services.
  
  
• Lack of Structure — Although many students benefit from the flexibility a virtual learning environment allows, some students find that they need a more structured learning environment that face-to-face accountability provides. This can be mitigated by programs that offer layers of support like coaches and mentors who proactively reach out to support you, answer questions, provide homework resources, and help you stay on track.  

Virtual learning’s benefits to mental health seem to vastly outweigh these cons. 

Some of the mental health benefits include:

• Flexibility — Depending on the school, you may be able to work on your schoolwork whenever it’s most convenient for you, thereby reducing stress. Students need flexibility for many reasons, and not having it can cause a lot of stress that negatively impacts mood. By being able to complete school work at any time, you’ll be able to lessen your stress and find a balance that works for you. 
  
  
• Comfortable Learning Environment — Many virtual high schools allow students to work on their coursework from anywhere with internet access, so students can create their own space for learning that is comfortable for them. This is particularly helpful for students with sensory issues, as they are able to complete their coursework in a space that is comfortable and limits distractions. 
  
  
• Less Exposure to Bullying — While it’s impossible to completely eradicate exposure to bullying, being out of a traditional school setting can help. According to research from the U.S. Department of Education, most bullying happens in person and in unsupervised areas, such as school bathrooms. Switching to a virtual school is not a fix-all solution, as bullying can still happen elsewhere, such as online, but it can greatly reduce stress. Stress reduction can positively impact self-esteem and mood. 
  
  
• Reduction of Anxiety Triggers — If you struggle with anxiety, you may find that you are not as anxious when attending school remotely. Many anxiety triggers are removed, and you could feel more comfortable participating in your education. 
  
  
• Support — Because virtual programs do not offer in-person teaching and resources, they often go above and beyond to provide support for their students. This additional support is helpful, especially for those who have felt like they did not receive the support they needed to be successful in other learning environments. 

The only way to know for sure if an online learning environment is right for you and beneficial to your mental health is to give it a try! If you are struggling with traditional school and think a remote option will be better for your mood, it’s worth giving it a try. 

The American Academy

Many students choose to enroll in The American Academy because our remote learning environment is a safe space for them to achieve their educational goals without the stress of an in-person schedule. We offer two opportunities: individual courses and a diploma program. 

Individual courses allow students to earn transferable credits. As an accredited high school, credits from The American Academy should transfer to other high schools, but we recommend checking with your school counselor before enrolling. Students enroll in individual courses for a variety of reasons, including to make up credits, get ahead, or take classes that aren’t offered by their regular school. 

Our diploma program allows students to earn an accredited high school diploma online that is accepted by colleges and universities, employers, and the U.S. military, at their discretion. Students can enroll as a first-time freshman or pick up where they left off by transferring in credits.

No matter your situation, The American Academy has an option for you.