Children felt lonelier and more stressed in January lockdown than previous restricted periods

Children engaged less with their friends last January and February than during the first lockdown. File picture: iStock

The lockdown last January and February hit many children harder than the first pandemic lockdown, with new reports showing a significant minority of those at school felt their progress had been hindered, alongside heightened levels of social isolation.

The reports by the Inspectorate of the Department of Education are based on phone and online surveys and focus groups with hundreds of school principals, parents, and students, as well as with people involved in special schools and Youthreach centres.