No Mask Feels Awkward... 70% of Children Still Wear Masks in Classrooms

Wearing Masks for 3 Years During COVID-19
"Children Have Become Used to Anonymity"

Although the indoor mask-wearing mandate has been relaxed, it was found that 7 out of 10 children still wear masks in the classroom.

On the 3rd, the Elementary Education Curriculum Research Group of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) and the Seoul Branch Elementary Committee conducted a survey of 1,712 elementary school students in grades 4 to 6 nationwide. The results showed that 70.2% of respondents said they mainly wear masks at school. The survey was conducted online from the 15th to the 29th of last month, ahead of Children's Day.

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When asked why they continue to wear masks, more than half of the children (53.0%) responded that "it feels awkward to take off the mask." Many children also answered that "wearing a mask makes me feel comfortable" (19.5%) and "I feel uncomfortable having my face seen by friends" (10.9%). Only 10.9% said they wear masks to prevent COVID-19.

The KTU explained, "Children who have become accustomed to online communication and anonymity due to prolonged remote learning tend to find it difficult and fearful to express their emotions and thoughts. Teachers commonly agree that among 1st and 2nd graders who spent their early childhood during the COVID-19 period, there has been an increase in children who cannot read nonverbal expressions such as facial expressions."

In fact, many children also reported choosing avoidance when conflicts arise with friends. In conflict situations, 34.9% exhibited avoidance behaviors such as "just endure it" (24.4%) and "do not speak up" (10.5%), while 29.5% said they "try to have a conversation."

As face-to-face contact decreased during the COVID-19 period, the time children spent alone without socializing with friends increased. Children reported that during the COVID-19 period, the time spent "playing games" (38.1%), "watching videos such as YouTube" (34.8%), and "going to academies" (24.3%) increased. Conversely, time spent "playing with friends" (50.8%), "reading books" (33.2%), and "doing music, art, or exercise" (26.7%) decreased.

The KTU urged, "As schools closed due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, students are struggling with building relationships. To recover education, it is necessary to implement a cap of 20 students per class and restore normal work conditions to provide tailored education for students."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.