Why Teens Become Socially Isolated and How to Help Them

Aug 30, 2011
Debbie Roome

Isolation is not Healthy for Teenagers - Debbie Roome

Isolation can cause difficulties for teenagers. Find out why they become isolated and learn how to help them overcome their social problems.

Teen culture is social by nature and young people tend to move around in groups. A teen who is isolated is at a distinct disadvantage and is often treated as an outcast. The effects of isolation on a teenager can be long lasting and it is a problem that needs to be addressed. The first step to solving the problem is understanding what is causing it.

Why Teens Become Isolated

Teens may choose to isolate themselves or it may happen as a result of bullying or exclusion by their peers. Here are some of the common reasons for isolation:

Isolation can be caused by the way they look, dress, act or a combination of all these factors.
Some teenagers may be ostracized by classmates due to their excelling academically or underachieving. Fitting in is important to adolescents and those that stand out may be pushed to the fringes of social groups.
Moodiness and erratic or volatile behavior can drive teens away from each other.
Certain conditions such as Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD are characterized by social weaknesses that lead to isolation.
Depression is another prime cause of isolation. A depressed teen loses interest in everyday activities and drops out of social groups at school.
In some cases, a teen may spend too much time on social networking sites and lose touch with their peers. They may replace genuine social interaction with chat rooms where they converse with strangers.
Shyness can be a cause of social isolation in teens.

The Effects of Teen Isolation

Isolation affects teenagers in a number of different ways and with varying degrees of severity. Here are some of the ways that a lack of social interaction and acceptance can harm an adolescent:

A lack of peer support can mean teens struggle to process the dramas of their adolescent years. Stacey withdrew into herself, embarrassed by her crooked teeth and the teasing that resulted from them. When she needed a friend to do a geography project with, she couldn’t find one and this made her feel even worse.
Depression can cause isolation but may also be a result of a lack of social interaction. It is important to differentiate between these when seeking treatment. Jack was depressed as his attempts to fit in with the guys in his class always backfired. They were sporty whereas he was more artistic and musical. He was mocked by the boys and eventually stopped hanging out with them. Over a period of months, he slumped into a deep depression.
Teens who interact online lose out on genuine social interaction. Miles was a computer geek who spent hours chatting to strangers online. After months of this, his social skills were underdeveloped and his understanding of face to face interaction was marred by hours of internet usage.
Casey was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age nine. She had a particular interest in horses and her peers found her incessant talk about them boring. They eventually left her out of social activities which made her feel socially clumsy and unwanted.

How Parents can Help Isolated Teens

Teens may end up in a situation where they struggle to help themselves. If parents see this happening, they should get involved and encourage their child to take positive action to overcome their problems. In the situations mentioned above, parents intervened in the following ways:

Stacey’s parents saw she was withdrawn and when she couldn’t find a friend to help with the geography project, they sat down with her and asked her what was wrong. They made a plan to get her teeth straightened and as Stacey’s confidence grew, her social life began to improve.
Jack’s parents took him to a doctor to get a physical check up and assessment of his depressed state. The doctor ruled out biological depression and suggested Jack join some clubs where he would meet teens with similar interests. Within months he was part of a group that painted backdrops for theatrical productions and also joined a teen band. He eventually had to limit his social life as he was too busy.
Miles’ parents took firm action and told their son they would limit his internet usage if he did not make more effort to interact face to face with his peers. Miles was angry and reluctant to do so but eventually looked up some old friends. They were willing to spend time with him and Miles soon realized the value of genuine social contact.
Casey’s parents had taken a proactive approach with her since her diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. When she was shunned by her teenage peers, they arranged for a therapist to help her with social skills. Casey persevered and managed to make a couple of friends who understood her difficulties.

The effects of isolation on a teenager should not be underestimated and with the correct help, most young people can improve their social lives. The skills they learn as teens will stand them in good stead when they enter the work place and have to interact with people of all ages.

References

Teens and Mobile Phones. pewinternet.org Accessed 28 August 2011

The Asperger’s Teen. yourlittleprofessor.com Accessed 28 August 2011