Virtual Social Anxiety

Cherie Pieterse • July 13, 2022

Support for Online Learning

We can all relate to feeling nervous or anxious, child or adult. Social settings, whether in the virtual space or a physical “meet-up”, seem to be a significant cause of this! In today’s uncertainty, children are the ones that are experiencing social anxiety at its core. 


Moving back and forth between the virtual and physical space has undoubtedly influenced our children’s socialising ability. Children have shifted from everyday social experiences such as meeting at school to a virtual experience where social connections are harder to make and may require intervention from a parent or teacher who can feel uncomfortable. Feeling disconnected or isolated can happen in both a physical and online environment as revolutionary as online learning or online home-schooling, those involved need to be aware of the importance of social connections.


Being in the comfort of our home allows learning to happen in a truly comfortable environment. Due to this, children can experience higher levels of virtual social anxiety when needing to connect with their peers outside of the learning environment. As a parent, it is essential to combat these developments or move and work towards remedying them once they have been identified. The following behaviours can be signs of social anxiety and should be monitored:


  1. They lack the desire to connect and communicate outside their immediate family circle. 
  2. Showing significant discomfort when communicating with others on a personal level, beyond learning and teaching content.
  3. Showing an increasing lack of desire to interact with children of their age in a “real-life” setting.
  4. Hiding away.
  5. Not wanting to talk or play. 


However, providing opportunities and creating expectations can be a healthy way to overcome or combat the development of social anxiety. Some coping strategies for online learning and creating a space that fosters social interaction may be:

  • Getting out of their “comfort space” to go for walks.
  • Going to a library where there are opportunities to talk to and see other people.
  • Participating in non-academic activities and even something as simple as getting involved in community projects.

More particularly, creating opportunities for them to connect with children with the same or similar interests is an effective way not to force social interaction but rather encourage it, as this will be the best footing when overcoming the discomfort of social anxiety.


Written by Cherie Pieterse – Evolve Online School Activator

 

Two students standing side by side, smiling. One has a backpack and book, other has book and backpack.
December 18, 2025
Explore how online students build friendships, engage socially, and develop communication skills. Discover tools, tips, and platforms that foster social interaction in virtual education.
Girl at desk during virtual class; laptop shows instructor giving thumbs up.
December 18, 2025
Discover essential tips and strategies for students and parents to successfully shift from traditional schooling to online education. Learn how to adapt, stay organised, and thrive.
December 18, 2025
Learn how homeschooled students in South Africa can gain university admission. Explore requirements, accreditation, and accepted qualifications.
Woman with head in hands at desk with laptop, notebook, glasses, and phone, appearing anxious.
December 18, 2025
Discover how homeschooling can support children with anxiety. Learn the benefits, challenges, and expert advice to help make an informed decision.
Students walking with backpacks toward a brick building on a college campus in autumn.
October 31, 2025
Compare Cambridge and IEB online curriculums to see which best supports university admission. Discover key differences, recognition, and benefits.
Family doing schoolwork at a desk. A man looks on as two children write on papers. Bright, indoor setting.
October 31, 2025
Build a strong learning foundation from home. Explore online preschool programs that support early development through fun, structured activities.
Scrabble board with words
October 30, 2025
Learn what Cambridge accreditation means and how to choose the right Cambridge-accredited online school in South Africa. Practical tips for parents included.
Woman helping a child with homework at a desk. The child wears a red jacket, the woman a blue shirt.
October 30, 2025
Discover how to start home education online. Learn the benefits, challenges, and practical tips for setting up online homeschooling in South Africa.
By Lora Stevens October 27, 2025
How do you do exams when your students are scattered all around the world? It’s a question I’m asked often — and it’s an important one. Exams are not only about measuring knowledge; they’re about *trust*. Trust from parents, from universities, and even from our students themselves. Everyone needs to know that the results are fair, consistent, and credible. At Evolve Online School, we’ve built an exam process that combines the very best of technology, human connection, and traditional assessment principles. Here’s how it works. A Modern Approach to Internal Exams For our internal assessments, we use two powerful tools — the Invigilator App and our Exam Portal — to maintain integrity and support. The Invigilator App The Invigilator App runs on each student’s computer during their exam. Initially, it prompts them to take a selfie to verify their identity. Then, at random times, it captures screenshots, short video clips, and audio snippets while monitoring activity to ensure they remain in the exam window. It’s the digital equivalent of having a teacher quietly walking past your desk in a traditional exam hall — reassuring and fair. Once the exam ends, students use the Invigilator Mobile App on their phones to upload their completed scripts. This means no downloaded papers are lying around — everything stays secure from start to finish. The Exam Portal The Exam Portal is the second layer of security. Students never download the exam paper; it exists only within the portal. The system controls timing automatically — even accommodating extra time for students who need it — so there’s no confusion or stress. Once the exam begins, the portal locks the student into the page. If they attempt to open another tab or navigate away, the activity is flagged. The portal also includes accessibility tools, such as the ability to read the paper aloud or allow students to type their answers directly into the system. These features are activated according to the student’s approved concessions. Together, these two systems — the Invigilator App and the Exam Portal — create a secure, fair, and balanced environment. Support When It’s Needed Most At Evolve Online, technology never replaces human care. During exams, each student has a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel where they can start a live meeting. This allows teachers to check in, provide help, or troubleshoot technical issues in real-time. If something goes wrong during the exam, the student can call the invigilator into their meeting for immediate support. This system ensures that students always know they’re not alone — we’re right there with them. Our focus isn’t on catching students out, but on helping them feel confident, calm, and supported. Traditional Exam Halls for Final Exams Everything described so far applies to our internal assessments — progress checks and practice exams that happen throughout the year. When it comes to final national exams, every Evolve Online student writes at a traditional exam centre, supervised by qualified invigilators. This ensures that our students’ results align with national standards and are recognised across the country and beyond. Why Our System Works Our hybrid model gives students the best of both worlds: Flexibility – Students can complete internal exams from anywhere in the world. Integrity – Results are secure, authentic, and credible. Preparation – Students gain valuable experience managing time and maintaining focus under exam conditions. It’s preparation not just for exams, but for life. Privacy and Fairness First We’re committed to protecting student privacy. While AI tools sometimes flag innocent behaviour like looking away while thinking, each case is carefully reviewed by staff before any action is taken. The data collected is used only to maintain exam integrity and is handled responsibly. Before their first real exam, students complete a demo test to understand the process and feel at ease. The Evolve Online Exam Experience At Evolve Online School, we’ve designed an exam system that combines innovation, fairness, and care. For internal exams, we utilise advanced tools such as the invigilator App and Exam Portal to create a secure and supportive environment. For finals, we maintain the **traditional structure** of supervised exam halls.  The result? Exams that are credible, consistent, and trusted — both nationally and internationally — while remaining student-focused and stress-free. Because at Evolve Online , we believe that exams should prepare students not just for their results, but for the **adventure of learning** itself.
A young girl with braids attends an online class on a laptop. The teacher smiles and gives a thumbs-up.
October 13, 2025
Discover how to overcome common online learning challenges with practical tips to stay focused, motivated, and achieve success as a student.