Kids, Screens, and Social Skills: Navigating Online Relationships and Real-Life Connection
Life InSight
By Dr. Rebecca Yun, Life InSight
If your child seems glued to their screen and less socially connected than they used to be, you’re not imagining it. I’ve spoken with a lot of parents in the past few years who are noticing the same shift, and they’re understandably concerned.
Since COVID turned our routines upside down, technology has filled the void. It became the go-to way for kids to pass time, stay in touch, and feel like part of something when everything else was on pause.
These days, digital spaces aren’t just for fun; they’ve become the main setting for a lot of kids’ social lives. Whether it’s teaming up in a game, chatting in group messages, or keeping up with shared content, this is where their peer interaction often happens.
That alone isn’t necessarily bad. But the more time they spend online, the less practice they’re getting with real-life social skills — things like reading body language, resolving conflict, or simply making eye contact. And over time, that imbalance can show up in ways that concern both parents and kids.
One of the things I hear often is: “They used to be social; now they’d prefer to be alone in their room on the phone.” That kind of pullback can be hard to understand, especially when it looks like they’re “socializing” online all day.
You might start noticing little changes in your child that feel... off.
- Maybe they’re more irritable after being on a device for a while.
- Maybe they’ve stopped asking to hang out with friends, or they say no when invited.
- Maybe they’re avoiding situations they used to enjoy — birthday parties, school events, even family gatherings.
It’s easy to brush these off as mood swings or part of growing up, but often, they’re pointing to something deeper. These shifts can be signs that your child is feeling unsure about how to connect face-to-face — or that they’ve lost confidence in their ability to do so.
Online Friendships Do Matter — But They Don’t Always Fill the Gap
In all honesty, for some kids, especially those who are shy, anxious, or neurodivergent, online spaces can feel like a lifeline. It’s easier to join a conversation when you can think through your response or take a break when things get overwhelming. And having a place where they feel accepted, even virtually, can be incredibly meaningful.
But even with those benefits, a lot of kids still end up feeling a little empty after the screen goes dark.
There’s just something different about being with someone in the same room — hearing them laugh, seeing their face light up, picking up on all the little cues that help us feel truly connected. That kind of in-the-moment interaction builds trust, emotional awareness, and social confidence in ways a screen just can’t replicate.
I've had many conversations with kids, teens and adults who say things like, “I talk to my friends all the time online,” and yet, the loneliness persists. That speaks volumes.
How We Help Kids Rebuild Confidence in Real Life
At Life InSight, we offer social skills groups for kids, teens and young adults who are having a hard time connecting with others. Whether they’ve always struggled socially or just got out of the habit during years of screen-heavy routines, we get it. That’s why we’ve created a space that meets them where they are. These groups are small and welcoming, led by therapists who truly understand how tough social situations can be for some kids. We’re not aiming for perfection — we’re creating a space to try, to practice, and to feel supported.
It’s not about scripted conversations or forced activities. It’s about helping people build real-life confidence through small, everyday moments. In our groups, they can:
- Test out conversations in a relaxed setting
- Get feedback in the moment, without judgment
- Learn how to build and maintain friendships, slowly and naturally
There’s room to mess up, room to try again, and room to grow. And often, that’s exactly what they need.
What You Can Do (Without a Complete Tech Overhaul)
This isn’t about banning screens or making drastic changes overnight. Small, thoughtful shifts can help your child reconnect with the offline world without triggering a power struggle.
Here are a few things that have helped the families I work with:
- Setting aside short periods during the day with no screens; maybe during meals, car rides, or right before bed
- Reintroducing activities that give them a break from tech — playing catch, painting, helping cook dinner, taking a walk around the block
- Offering opportunities to hang out with one or two peers instead of large groups
- Talking with them about what makes social situations feel hard, and listen without trying to fix it right away
And if you feel like you've tried all of this and still feel stuck, that’s okay. Sometimes kids just need a different kind of space to build these skills. That’s what our groups are for.
Click here to explore our current social skills groups
and see how to get started.
One Thing That Hasn’t Changed
The world your child is growing up in looks very different from the one you knew. Yes, that can be overwhelming. But even with all the changes, one truth still holds: kids need connection. They need to feel seen, accepted, and supported. And they need a chance to practice those things in the real world.
If you’re not sure where to begin, just know that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We’re here to help, and we’d be honored to be part of your child’s journey back toward meaningful connection. Click here to learn more.
We all know what depression looks like and feels like. It’s the inability to get out of bed in the morning, an unorganized and messy house, not being able to hold down a job or manage relationships. But depression doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes, it looks like getting through the day — going to work, caring for others, and meeting responsibilities — while quietly struggling beneath the surface. Functional depression, often referred to as high-functioning depression, describes depression that isn’t always visible on the outside but can still create significant inner turmoil. Those with functional depression can hold down jobs, manage a household and relationships, and function relatively well on a day-to-day basis, even while feeling emotionally exhausted or disconnected inside. The keeping up of appearances can be extremely draining and difficult for the individual. You can think of functional depression like a duck gliding across a pond. On the surface, it appears as though the duck is gliding gracefully and easily. But below the surface, its feet are flailing just to stay afloat. If it takes someone without depression 5% of their energy to wash the dishes, it may take someone with functional depression many times that amount to do the same task. They will still get the task done, but the emotional toll can be enormous. Those with functional depression can have similar symptoms as someone who suffers from depression, but the difference lies in their ability to continue functioning outwardly. Feeling sad, helpless, or hopeless. Becoming disinterested in things that used to bring them joy. Changes in eating habits, like eating too much or too little. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. Difficulty concentrating. Negative thoughts about yourself and others. People with functional depression may feel an enormous amount of these depressive symptoms yet have become skilled at hiding or “masking” their struggles from those around them. They can create an illusion of being “fine,” even when they are not. Functioning does not mean thriving. Others with depression may not appear as high functioning in all areas of their lives. While they may seem to be excelling from your vantage point, depression may be quietly affecting areas you cannot see. Your co-worker, for example, may be excellent at her job but struggle to get out of bed on the weekends or feel overwhelmed managing personal responsibilities. Or your friend’s social media feed may be brimming with happy, smiling photos while hiding a deep sense of emptiness or disconnection. Even if you or a loved one appear to be high functioning, all depression deserves care and support. You don't have to wait until you hit rock bottom to find help. Without treatment, depression can get worse. And even when it doesn’t worsen, everyone deserves a life that doesn’t require enormous effort just to meet basic needs. The trouble is that functional depression can be hard to spot, even for yourself. So, what happens? You continue to try to keep it up. But every task demands more and more and what once felt manageable begins to feel exhausting. And eventually, burn out. If you think you or a loved one are living with functional depression, treatment is available. Life InSight offers compassionate, individualized support to help you better understand what you’re experiencing and move from simply getting by to truly feeling well.
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