Key Takeaways

• Social anxiety might be why your child has difficulty in school or avoids playing with others.

• You can help your child by teaching them strategies to positively engage with others.

• The more you understand your child's social concerns and anxieties, the better you can support them in overcoming their challenges.

Social anxiety is more than just about shyness. Rather, it is an intense worry or fear of situations that involve interacting with others. Between 3% and 6% of children will struggle with social anxiety disorder at some point during their youth.

What Is Social Anxiety in Children? 

Social anxiety involves an overwhelming or intense fear of being observed and judged by others. This fear can be debilitating and impact school, relationships and daily activities.

For children grappling with social anxiety, making and maintaining friendships can be particularly challenging.

Social Anxiety Quiz: Does My Child Experience Social Anxiety? 

If you suspect your child has social anxiety, you might notice they have few friends and struggle to join groups or meet others.

They may avoid situations where they could be the center of attention. Social anxiety also has physical symptoms, including trembling, nausea and stomach aches. The signs can be easy to miss. Many children who have social anxiety are obedient and quiet in school and may not talk about their fears.

Quiz Instructions 

Your answers to the following questions can provide you with key insights into whether your child struggles with social anxiety. While this quiz can highlight potential signs of this condition, only a professional can diagnose your child.

10 Questions To Assess Social Anxiety Symptoms

This quiz is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical evaluation or consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.

Does your child usually try to avoid social situations?

• A. Yes, they usually refuse to attend social gatherings, even with close relatives and friends.

• B. Sometimes, but they eventually agree to attend with some encouragement.

• C. No, they enjoy social events and gatherings.

Does your child worry about becoming embarrassed in front of others? 

• A. Yes, they often worry about making mistakes or saying the wrong thing.

• B. Sometimes, but they usually overcome their fears when I reassure them. 

• C. No, they aren't concerned about other people's opinions.

Does your child experience physical signs of anxiety like sweating, trembling or stomachaches? 

• A. Yes, they frequently experience physical anxiety symptoms in social situations.

• B. Sometimes, but only during situations where they feel pressured.

• C. No, they never show signs of physical anxiety.

Does your child avoid eye contact or speak quietly when interacting with others?

• A. Yes, they tend to avoid eye contact and either speak quietly or not at all.

• B. Sometimes, but they can hold a conversation if they feel comfortable enough.

• C. No, they usually speak clearly and have no trouble making eye contact.

Does your child struggle with making friends and maintaining friendships? 

• A. Yes, they struggle to make friends and often withdraw from potential new friendships.

• B. Occasionally, however, they do have a few close friends.

• C. No, they can make and keep friends easily. 

Does your child get upset when they must speak in front of others at school or in class?

• A. Yes, they become upset and often refuse to speak in front of others.

• B. Sometimes, they do. But with encouragement, they usually participate.

• C. No, they are comfortable speaking in front of their peers.

Does your child compare themselves to other people, especially in social situations?

• A. Yes, they often feel that they don't fit in with other people.

• B. Occasionally, but they usually can focus on themselves instead of others.

• C. No, they never worry about comparing themselves to their peers.

Does your child appear anxious or nervous in social situations?

• A. Yes, they often seem uncomfortable and struggle to speak to others.

• B. Sometimes, but only when speaking in front of a group or meeting new people.

• C. No, they are relaxed and confident in social settings.

Does your child's social anxiety seem to interfere with their school performance and academics?

• A. Yes, my child struggles academically, and their anxiety affects their ability to concentrate.

• B. Sometimes, they struggle. But with reassurance, they usually participate in class.

• C. No, my child has no problems concentrating in the classroom.

Does your child struggle with falling asleep because they are worried about future social situations?

• A. Yes, my child frequently has trouble sleeping because they always worry about future social events.

• B. Sometimes, but they can usually calm themselves down enough to relax and fall asleep.

• C. My child never struggles with falling asleep due to worrying about social events.

Interpreting the Quiz Results

Social anxiety disorder may suddenly develop after a particularly embarrassing or stressful experience. It can also develop slowly over time. Tally up the number of A, B and C responses you have, and then refer to the information below:

• Mostly A's - Your child may have social anxiety. They display signs of discomfort and fear when in social situations.

• Mostly B's - Your child displays some symptoms of social anxiety, but only during specific situations or when around certain people.

• Mostly C's - Your child is comfortable in social situations and does not display signs of social anxiety.

How To Help a Child With Social Anxiety

It can be hard for parents to watch their child struggle with social anxiety. You can support them by trying to understand their fears.

Think about the symptoms your child exhibits and the situations they tend to occur during. You may even choose to keep a record to determine if there is a pattern. Once you've developed a better understanding of their anxiety, there are several things you can do to help them.

Encouraging Social Skills Development 

One of the best ways to help your socially anxious child overcome their fears is to encourage social skills development.

Encourage them to join in social situations and help them practice vital social skills like sharing, taking turns and greeting others.

Whenever your child attempts to go out of their comfort zone socially, praise them. By acknowledging their courage to do difficult things, you can build their confidence, making it easier for them to navigate social experiences in the future.

Gradual Exposure to Social Situations

Gradual exposure to smaller, difficult tasks before facing larger, more intimidating settings can help your child face their fears and deal with their social anxiety.

After they have mastered this smaller task and feel comfortable, you can move on to a more challenging situation. As they become more comfortable with each task, they can slowly build their confidence.

Therapy Options for Social Anxiety in Children

Social anxiety disorder is treatable using traditional talk therapy techniques, medications or a combination of both. Before beginning treatment, your child should undergo a full assessment to determine the scope and severity of their symptoms:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Through CBT, your child can learn new skills to help them feel more confident in social settings. As they discuss these situations with their therapist, they learn how to face them using positive coping skills.

• Medications - In some cases, medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to help treat social anxiety disorder in children. These medications act upon neurotransmitters in the brain that are linked to anxiety.

 Bottom Line

By working with a counselor, your child can learn positive coping skills while building social confidence. Start your search for a child therapist through Emora Health today. We can help you find the right professional therapist for your child who can address your needs and concerns.