While most things from the time of COVID-19 have gone back to normal, there is one thing that has not: social anxiety.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, social anxiety is a form of anxiety that is brought about by social situations (such as meeting strangers, dating, or public speaking) in which embarrassment or a negative judgment by others may occur. Social anxiety often leads people to be avoidant of any social interactions with others.

COVID-19 did not just pause the social lives and interactions of most of the world; it completely changed them. This can be observed in everyday life, whether it’s not speaking during class to answer questions or choosing not to attend an event due to low social energy.

Indeed, it does not affect everyone, but social anxiety has increased significantly, especially among younger people. A 2023 study by MDPI found that there is a big association between the stress of the pandemic and social anxiety symptoms.

There are many reasons that this social anxiety still lingers on for this long. One of the main reasons is that extended isolation in our homes and lack of interactions with outside people have made social skills somewhat rusty and more difficult.

“With COVID confining people to their homes, the only way most people could do things was through online mediums,” said Marquez Hampton, a broadcast major at UT Martin. “It closed the world off and made social interactions more of a chore.”

Another reason is that a sense of normality has grown around avoiding social interactions. Since there has been a surge in things that can be done online, such as scheduling appointments and ordering food, it has been easier to do everything from the comfort of home without interacting with anyone. Because of that, people feel that it’s easier to avoid doing things that they can just do online.  

According to Frontiers, remote options have grown a feeling of legitimacy in avoiding and getting out of situations. This loop of avoidance has grown and increased the feeling of anxiety, making it harder to get into social interactions. 

Lastly, there is a lack of support in getting out of the house. At least in my experience, many of my friend groups have swapped to playing games and talking through video chats, on apps like Discord or Instagram, instead of going out to places. And whenever people do try to go out, it’s quickly turned down.

So, will this issue with social anxiety ever end? Altogether, no, but if we support our friends and colleagues to get out of the house and promote social interactions, maybe we can finally get back to pre-COVID levels of social interactions.