Experiences during Covid-19 - OCO Children's Survey
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OCO Children’s Survey
Experiences during Covid-19
Experiences during Covid-19
OCO Children’s Survey
Foreword
for the majority of children their stories have been passed on, or
brought to us by the adults in their lives.
It is widely accepted that the pandemic has been hard on children;
that their childhoods have been interrupted and that there will be long
lasting consequences. On the other hand we also know that there
were upsides to Covid; that online learning suited some children and
many got to spend more time with their immediate family. This is what
we have been told.
We find ourselves at a particular moment in time – still dealing with
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic the Ombudsman for Children’s Covid-19 on a day to day basis but with many of the restrictions lifted
Office has worked hard to ensure that children’s voices and opinions (hopefully for good). As we plan for life post-Covid, it is vital that those
were heard and considered, in decisions affecting them. We have in power and members of the public know how children feel and what
always tried to highlight the scale of the impact of the pandemic they experienced over the past two years.
on children, and to emphasise the extent to which their lives have
Hearing directly from children and ensuring their views are given
changed. But we can only do so much.
due weight and consideration is part of my role as Ombudsman for
This survey is an opportunity to hear directly from children about their Children. I am committed to ensuring that the powerful messages
experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic and how they think their lives shared as part of this survey inform my work, and are elevated to
have been impacted. I know these are difficult questions to ask of Government and beyond.
Experiences during Covid-19
anyone. As an adult, I struggle to explain or comprehend how the past
This survey would not have been possible without the support of
two years, living under the shadow of Covid-19, has changed my life.
teachers, principals and the school community. To all of them I extend
OCO Children’s Survey
However, it is important to take stock and to give children a platform to
my thanks. However, the greatest credit and biggest thank you goes to
have their say.
the children who participated in this survey. I thank you for your time,
While we have heard from some children during the pandemic (most your honesty and your bravery in sharing with us a snapshot of what
notably the Irish Secondary School Union on the Leaving Certificate), the last two years has been like for you.
Children’s Covid-19 timeline
March 12, 2020 March 27, 2020 May 5, 2020 June 3, 2020 June 8, 2020
Schools closed Full lockdown. Travel restriction 5km Leaving Certificate Playgrounds reopen
Playgrounds closed. 2020 calculated grades.
2km restriction Junior Certificate
cancelled
August 7, 2020 August 26th 2020 October 3, 2020 October 4, 2020 November 27, 2020
Lockdown Kildare, Schools reopen. 6,100 Leaving Cert Six-week lockdown. Restrictions eased
Laois and Offaly Masks in post primary students impacted by No inter-county travel
schools. Pods. errors in the system
Staggered breaks.
Desks moved apart
Experiences during Covid-19
OCO Children’s Survey
December 22, 2020 February 11 to April 12 From 26 April 2021 30 November 2021 Since 28 February 2022
Level 5 lockdown. Schools and childcare Restrictions ease. Face masks for children Face coverings no
Schools closed reopen on staggered Underage non-contact aged nine years and longer mandatory.
basis outdoor training back above in schools Other restrictions in
in pods of 15 schools removed
04
Methodology
No Filter – A survey of children’s experience of the Covid-19 No Filter was launched online between 1st and 15th February 2022,
pandemic was carried out by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office running for two weeks. The survey was shared with schools via an
(OCO) in conjunction with Amárach Research. No Filter was an online individual URL. Consent from parents and assent from the children
survey open to children between the ages of 9-17 years in Ireland. A themselves was sought and secured. Children’s participation was
small number of students aged 18 and over who are still in school also anonymous and voluntary. Children were informed about the survey by
completed the survey. their teacher and principals in class, and a video from the Ombudsman
for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon was shared with every school.
In order to protect the integrity of the process and to ensure that
children themselves were taking part, the survey was carried out
through schools. Sixty schools from across the country were invited to
take part; based on regional spread, deis, non-deis, gaelscoileanna and
private schools, and divided into primary and post-primary schools.
Interested schools were invited to apply through social media and the
survey was also shared with the OCO Youth Advisory Panel.
The questions included in the survey were drafted based on common
issues that were raised with the OCO and in the media. Every effort
was made to ensure that questions were simply phrased and
Experiences during Covid-19
understandable to all age groups, and to ensure that children were not
led or encouraged to opt for any particular outcome. The survey was
piloted in a primary and post-primary classroom in Dublin. Based on
OCO Children’s Survey
the feedback, questions were reviewed and updated before general
distribution.
05
Summary
1,389 children from 23 schools across Ireland took part in this survey. 8 out of 10 children felt Covid-19 had some impact on their education.
Schools that took part were located in Cavan, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, While children acknowledged a negative impact on learning and
Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Westmeath, communication with teachers, it was the extracurricular activities
Wexford and Wicklow. that were missed most, with 60% reporting school restrictions having
impacted ‘a lot’ on activities such as training, trips, choir or drama.
48% of school children said the Covid-19 pandemic has changed their
life a lot, rising to 51% among secondary school children, and 55% Only 14% said they hadn’t missed any school.
among girls.
The majority of children said that they had the appropriate environment,
Children told us that they saw a lot more of their parents, guardians equipment, connectivity and support for their online studies during the
and siblings during the pandemic, but time with grandparents, pandemic. There was however a significant minority who did not.
extended family and friends both inside and outside of school was
When children were asked how they feel now, in the Spring of 2022 over
more restricted.
50% feel happy and almost 40% are hopeful.
Children said they spent more time with screens, music, the internet,
48% never felt scared. However many children experienced feelings of
playing online games, and less time running, playing football,
loneliness, worry, anger and unhappiness.
swimming and cycling. However, children were walking more since the
pandemic began. 47% of children said they’d lost touch with friends, which made them
feel unhappy. However 45% had made new friends, which they were
Children were conscious they had missed out on a lot of milestones
generally happy with.
and events over the past two years. Holidays abroad, school trips,
Experiences during Covid-19
family occasions and activities outside school featured the most, and The final question of the survey invited children to share any other
these are the things that children are most looking forward to now that comments they had about the Covid-19 pandemic. A variety of very
OCO Children’s Survey
people are making plans again. honest and heartfelt comments acknowledge some positives of the
past two years, but mainly emphasise the negative and potentially long
Over one quarter, since September 2021 of children reported having
lasting impact of Covid-19 for children.
missed more than two weeks of school as a result of Covid-19 and 29%
missed 1-2 weeks.
06
Who took part
Gender School Region
24% Primary
Male
41% Female
76% Conn/Ulster
19%
54% Post-primary
Dublin
27%
Age Rest of Leinster
26%
Experiences during Covid-19
Non-binary
9-11 12%
2% Prefer
OCO Children’s Survey
not to say 12-14 49%
3%
Munster
15-17 33% 28%
18+ 6%7
Question 1: Question 2:
Overall, do you think that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed your life 40% Did you see more or less of close friends and family during
a lot, a little, not very much or not at all? the Covid-19 pandemic?
Total
10%
2%
1% Not Not 40% 48%
at all very A little A lot
much
Prefer
not to
say
Friends Friends
School Gender Prefer not Grand- Extended from outside
Primary Post Primary Male Female Non-binary to say Parents Siblings parents family school school Neighbours
29%
38% About
40% 39%
A lot the same
A lot 45% 46% 50% 45% Saw a lot
51% 52% Saw a lot less
55% A lot 59% Saw a lot Saw a lot
A lot 59% Saw a lot less
A lot Saw a lot less less
A lot more 20%
more
Saw a lot
less
25%
Experiences during Covid-19
25% Saw a 17%
44% 17% Saw a 25% little less Saw a
43% About 31% little less
A little the same 17% little less Saw a Saw a
A little 45% little less
39% 26% About little less 14%
OCO Children’s Survey
37% A little the same 13% Not
A little A little 12% 11% About relevant
A little Saw a 11% About 13% the same to me
little more the same About
Saw a the same 13% 9%
8% little more About Saw a
14% 8% Not 13%
14% 8% 3% Not Not very 10%
Saw a lot less relevant to me 6% Saw a the same little more Saw a
Not very 7% 7% Not little more little more
Not very Not very very much much relevant to me 5% Saw a 4% Not 5% Saw a
7%
much Not very little more little more
Saw a lot more
much much 6%
3% Not at all 8%
Saw a little less
3%
Saw a little less 4%
relevant to me
2% 4% 5% Not
8%
Saw a lot more
2% Not at all 2% Not at all 4% Not at all much Prefer not to say 5%
Prefer not to say
Saw a lot more Saw a lot more Saw a lot more relevant to me
1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Prefer not to say Saw a lot less Prefer not to say Prefer not to say Not relevant to me Prefer not to say Prefer not to say
Prefer not to say Prefer not to say Prefer not to say Not at all
* Caution low base. Not included in subsequent slides –is available within data tables for reference8
Question 3:
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began which of the following activities,
if any, are you doing a) MORE of and b) LESS of
a) More b) Less
30% 55% 3%
Reading Using the internet
Using the internet
60%
Watching TV/
YouTube/ 22%
Netflix
4% Reading
Watching TV
YouTube
57% 28%
Netflix
Listening to music Cycling
3%
Listening to music
20%
Experiences during Covid-19
Cycling
51% 10%
Walking 40%
OCO Children’s Survey
Walking
Playing online
38% games
Running 7%
football
swimming 28% Playing online games
Running
football
swimming9
Question 4:
During the Covid-19 pandemic would you say you were more active,
less active or about the same as before?
Total
28% 35% 37%
The same More Less
School Gender
Primary Post Primary Male Female
41% 37% 37% 39%
Less More More Less
Experiences during Covid-19
31% 36% 35%
The same 34%
Less Less More
OCO Children’s Survey
29% 27% 28%
More 27%
The same The same The same10
Question 5:
Which of the following have you missed out on because of the
pandemic?
Holiday abroad 71%
School trips/tours 71%
Other family party or get together for
a special occasion 52%
Activities outside school including
sports, hobbies, other clubs 52%
Activities inside school including sports, clubs 49%
Attending indoor/outdoor events 47%
Cinema 45%
Restaurant/cafe 45%
Communion or Confirmation 22%
Experiences during Covid-19
Holiday in Ireland 22%
OCO Children’s Survey
Family wedding 18%
Gaeltacht 12%
Other 8%11
Question 6: Question 7:
While doing schoolwork online from home during the Covid-19 Overall, would you say that you got better at using technology for doing
pandemic, how often did you have the following? schoolwork during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Total
1% 28% 35%
No 36%
Got Slightly
Change Better
worse Better
A quiet place A good School Gender
to internet Working Games console
work/study connection Online classes laptop/PC Mobile Phone with Wi Fi Primary Post Primary Male Female
33% 35%
36% 40% 37% Better 37%
42% Better
Always Always Always Better
48% Better
57% Always
Always
77%
Always
37% 32%
Experiences during Covid-19
30% Slightly Slightly 37%
24% Slightly Better Better Slightly
51% 53% 53% Some- Better Better
Some- Some- Some- times
OCO Children’s Survey
times times times 30%
Some-
times
31%
13% 29%
27% No
Some- 28% No 25%
No Change
times Never Change No
13% 13% Change
9% 9% Change
7%
Never Never Never
Never Never
1% 1%
Got worse Got worse12
Question 8: Question 9:
How often, if at all, could your parent/guardians help with your online To what extent, if any, do you feel the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted
schoolwork? your education?
Total
42%
24%
11%
9% 16% 21% Medium 29%
Unsure High impact No impact impact Low impact
School Gender
Primary Post Primary Male Female
All the time
27% 30% 29%
37% Low impact Low impact Low impact
Low impact
27%
26% 28%
Medium
Experiences during Covid-19
Sometimes No impact Medium
33%
impact
impact
29%
No impact
OCO Children’s Survey
19%
14%
20% 18%
Medium
High impact High impact
15% impact
Medium
impact
18% 15% 17%
13% No impact High impact No impact
Unsure
6% 8% 11% 8%
High impact Unsure Unsure Unsure
Never I don’t need help13
Question 10:
How many days of school have you missed since Sept 2021 due to
Covid-19 restrictions, testing positive or isolation rules?
School
Primary Post Primary
14% Unsure
32% 31%
28%
More than 1-2 weeks
two weeks
More than two weeks
14%None
24% 27%
Unsure More than
two weeks
15%
Experiences during Covid-19
16%
24% Less than
29%
Less than 1-2 weeks 1 week
OCO Children’s Survey
1 week
1-2 weeks 16%
12%
Less than None
1 week
9% 11%
None Unsure14
Question 11:
To what extent, if any, have restrictions in school during the Covid-19
pandemic had a negative impact on: A lot
A little
Not at all
16% 12%
18% 21% Not at
Not at
all 29% Not at all 24% A lot
all
Not at all
A lot 42%
A lot 27%
60%
Experiences during Covid-19
A little
54% 40% 54% A lot
A little
A little A little
OCO Children’s Survey
Learning Mixing with Communicating School activities
friends with teachers15
Question 12:
During or because of the Covid-19 pandemic how often, if at all, have
you felt each of the following?
Lonely Unhappy Worried Angry Scared Frustrated Bored Hopeful Happy In control Satisfied Safe/secure
36% 35% 32%
Some of Some of Some of
40% 43% the time
45% the time 49% 45% A lot of 47% Some of the time 44%
Some of 51% Some of Some of the time Some of the time Some of
the time 48% the time
Some of the time Never the time the time
the time
30%
27% 26% All of
A lot of 26% Never the time
the time Some of 19% 22%
23% 26% the time
Never A lot of Never
23% 37%
Experiences during Covid-19
25% A lot of the time
A lot of Never 35% the time A lot of
the time Some of the time 19%
the time A lot of
21% 22% 18% the time 19% 26%
OCO Children’s Survey
A lot of Never 25% Never A lot of A lot of
16% 16% 17% All of the time
the time Never Never the time
A lot of the time 9% 11% 11%
13% the time 9% A lot of Unsure All of Unsure
8% All of 6% All of All of the time the time 9% 7%
9% All of
the time the time the time 5% Unsure 5% Unsure the time 7% All of 5% Never 10% All of Unsure Never
8% Never the time
the time
3% 3% 3% 5% 3% 2% 1% 4% 5% 5%
Unsure Unsure Unsure All of All of Unsure Unsure Unsure All of Unsure
the time the time the time16
Question 13:
How do you feel now, in the Spring of 2022? Please pick up to 3 words
that best describes how you feel about the Covid-19 pandemic now?
Happy 54%
Hopeful 37%
Worried/Anxious 28%
Safe/Secure 28%
Bored 25%
Satisfied 23%
In Control 20%
Frustrated 16%
Lonely 14%
Experiences during Covid-19
Unhappy 11%
OCO Children’s Survey
Angry 7%
Scared 4%
None of these 4%17
Question 14:
As a result of the pandemic, a) which of the following apply to you?
Have made new friends None of these
47%
4%
35%
45%
Experiences during Covid-19
OCO Children’s Survey
Have lost touch
with friends My friends have
stayed the same
*children could select more than one option *Numbers have been rounded to the nearest decimal pointP O S I T I V ES
18
Final Question:
Is there anything else you would like
to add about how Covid-19 has affected school children in Ireland?
a s h o n e s t l y It im
C ov i d h p
m o re saw acte
make m e t h d o
e n t a n d I n o w us w e wor n how
co n fi d free a y mor l d a n w e
have a b e t t e r I spent muc and e re d mad
i t h m y h more tim mat spo e
t i o n s h i p w outdoors w e u r nsib
rela n d s . ith family a norm e tha le,
i l y a n d f r i e life was mu nd a l l n w
fa m ch more sim Girl, y be. e’d
2 -1 4, Cavan which I enj ple aged
12-1
Girl, Ag e 1
oyed a lot. 4, D
ublin
Girl, aged 15
-17, Cavan
Experiences during Covid-19
g o o d e x p e r i e n c e
I think it was COVID was a
a chance s I l o v e d h o m e
for me a
OCO Children’s Survey
for me to rea g t i m e
lise what n d s p e n d i n
I enjoyed doi schooling a
ng and I m i l y I h o p e i t w a s
really found m with my fa
yself. v e r yo n e e l s e .
Girl, aged 9-11
the same for e
, Wicklow al
Girl, aged 9-11, Doneg19 With covid-19 we have miss
much including our junior ce
especially how points are cra
ed out on so
rtificate and are
worried about the leaving c
ertificate
zy high. This is
E DU C AT I ON
very stressful since we miss
ed out on so
much learning and this is a d
isadvantage
since we have never sat a sta I feel that mo
te exam and a
lot of teachers were out for
It’s re children felt
most the year at home than stressed
with Covid-19 of some sort. sch hard they did at sc
hool as they
ool er had no suppo
sin in p goin rt and maybe
Girl, Age 15-17 Wexford
ce e g h o m e co u l n o o n e at
o u do r son to d h e l p them leavi
t a s f u n a s y
ing n n g t h e m
d e s c hoo l n o
u s e d to sch o ow fe e l h opeless.
Th e p o d s m a
c t a s m u c h a s w e
r m e a s Gir n
ool line
e ra fo
coul d n o t i n t
m a d e i tv e r y h a rd
i n g c l a s s
l, A
ge . Age 12-14, Lim
erick
e m a s k s fa c e s d ur 15-
17,G
and th t s e e p e o p l e s
n d p e o p l e alw
u l d n o d e r s t a ay
you co d i th a r d to u n
g c la s s t i m e .
il d re n a lot du e to t h e a m o u n t o f s c h o ol
h m a d u r i n It ha s a ff e c te d c h
whic e te a c h e r s
s o m e chil d re n le s s s o c ia l w h il e
i a l l y t h missed , it h a s a ls o m a d e
espec e 9-1 1 , W i c k lo w
w e cou ld n’t s e e o u r fr ie n d s o n ly
Girl, Ag in the p a n d e m ic b e c a u s e
Experiences during Covid-19
on call and online school.
The pandemic has made the school environment extre Boy, Age 12-14, Kilkenny
mely difficult.
OCO Children’s Survey
Large amounts of students and teachers are absent fro
m school at a
time due to Covid. Therefore progress in the curriculum Everybody
can't be
made and it seems impossible to catch up. Inflated point
s have
i
behind now s kinda
increased the stress on students and we have grown un because
sure of what of homesch
our future looks like regarding college courses.
N
o o
on-binary, A
l.
Girl, Age 15-17, Dublin ge 12-14,Ca
van20
Ruine d my wo r k et h ic. A lot of students have a lot less knowledge
I just
since some people were very unmotivated think
Girl, Age 15-17, Cavan which has caused them to be behind in their to do it wa
h o m sab
to a learning and their motivation seems to be t h esch it har
e d shou e p h one a o o l i n d
m ov een gone. t i n
g with
e e n a n t d n g a n d fami
e b h e c g a n d yeah ly
h a v i n t s i n Girl , Age 15-17, Limerick
i t was
W e o m p a s h e a m e
m : s r o a r s a r t ss. just
s ro o c l a s a s c t h e G irl, Ag
l a s r y n g a n ’ e 12-
C o ra r n i e c ise im no t at a 3r d ye ar le ve l 14, Sl
m p l e a d w Pe rs on al ly, I fe el ed uc at io n w igo
te s our e a n e r . uc h sc ho ol an d do in g
e c t t s i d a c h ck be ca use we'v e m iss ed ou t on so m
a f f e o u te e r i
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i s , L im
oling on lin e an d at ho m e ju st fe lt like an on lin
no e 1 5 -1 7 sc ho
B oy , A g during the summer.
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o t c a tc h u
l w e c a n n r
t o f s c h o o i n 3 rd y e a
i s s e d a l o s e w e a r e
I feel the pandemic has cau
sed a lot of uproar, I was ne We have m it’s very fair becau h a d a f u l l y e a r or
ver able to h i n k e n ' t
properly experience 1st Yea
r in Secondary School. A lot don't t e r t ,a n d w e h a v
: (
teachers are doing their be of the j u n i o r c t h c l a s s
struggling, others just don't
st to teach us, but some of
us, are doing scho o l s i n c e 6
care anymore, others neve -1 4, D u b lin
be honest, sometimes I fee r did care. To e 1 2
l like I'm drowning, underne Female, Ag
ath all the
Experiences during Covid-19
work, social pressure and s
elf-doubt. I like to start eac
thinking that each problem h day by Due to teachers also being out most of the time
is a snowflake, small and e
with, but they keep coming asily dealt
OCO Children’s Survey
and coming faster than I ca due to covid-19 and isolation we missed out on so
until, before long, I'm burie n beat them,
d underneath an avalanche
. Sometimes, I
much work and teaching and still having to move
feel overwhelmed just talk
ing to someone for too lon
g, I don't let it on because we don’t have the time to go back. It is
show but, I don't even know
anymore. The only certainty very frustrating and loads of students are on
believe to always look on th is that I
e bright side of life. Things overload stress including myself.
will get better,
I just have to hold on until th
en.
Girl, Age 12-14, Wexford
Boy, Age 12-14, CavanO I
t a l k
M
to
C A
r d
L I
s h a
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S
a v
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o a l w h e co
21 s t t t
It wa friends a . separated a lo
with st a g e t of
nnyi lke friends and ha
g e 12-1
4, K
s really
B oy, A
effected our li
ves with My social skills
school and soc have deteriora
ted
ially. a lot and I get v
e m e m o r e
Girl, Age 12-14, crowded place
ery anxious in M a d
Dublin
quicker in the
s, get burnt ou
t insecu re b e c a u s e o f
company of ot
r e s o c i a l l y I care less abo hers.
g m a s k s a l l t h e
Becam e m o I have fe ut school. havin
o n ' t k n o w l t t i re d o Non-binary, Ag
time.
a w k w a r d , d b e i n f e 15-17, Limeric
o n e w g s t u c k
k
a l k t E i n
how to t NDLESS G ir l, A g e 12 -1 4 , W e s tmeath
t h i n k i n g l o c k d o w
pe o p l e a n d n s .
s a y . Boy, Age
b e c a u s e
wh a t t o 9 -11
f I re l a n d I c o u l d n
h i l d r e n o t i t i o n s ’ t t a l k t o
a y
e c t e d c s ,c o m p e m y g o
Girl , Ag e 1 2 -1 4, Gal w
9 h a s a f f i g e v e n t t a l o d f r i e n d s a n
C o v i d 1 e a n d b e i r m e n I d
i n i n g t i m l s a n d t h s c o u l d n ’ t s e e
s o f t ra c i a l s k i l e d o n e t h e m
los t h e i r s o o t o f l o v f o r a l i t
Experiences during Covid-19
e f fe c t s o l o s t a l p e o p l e t l e w h i l e
a n d h a v e a l s i g h t s i d e
I think that it p e o p l e n t h e b r v e Girl, Age 9-11,
has l t h t o h a
OCO Children’s Survey
h e a e m i c b u a m i l i e s Wicklow
had an impac h e p a n d i l l s a n d f
t on d u r i n g t n e w s k .
socializing w i c k e d u p o g e t h e r Covid 19 has affected a lot of children
ith other h a v e p c l o s e r t
bec o m e in Ireland because they have lost
people. e 1 2 -1 4 ,W i c k lo w most of their social skills and their
rl, A g
Gi
Boy, Age 12-14
, Kerry
mental health could be down a lot.
Girl, Age 12-14, Galwaye d a l ot o f e o p l e . F o rg o t I lost contact
I feel I mis s Lo st co n t a ct w i t h p with friends I’
22
w i t h m e l y known for yea ve
good me m o r i e s o s o c i a l i s e a n d ex t r e rs and ended
h ow t losing all of th up
friends. e t i m e . I t ’s v e r y em including s
anxious all of th d I secondary sch ome
p o n w o r k a n ool friends tha
hard to catch u
2 -1 4, D u b lin
Gir l, Ag e 1
planned on st tI
hat e d l o c k d o w n . aying in conta
with when I g ct
L im e rick ot out of scho
I feel as t Non-bin a ry, Ag e 1 5 -1 7,
ol.
hough we Gir l, Age 15-17, Lim
technolog are more erick
y because addicted y
long and we stayed to e e l I k n o w m
that we h at home f I d o n ’ t f
a v e l ost some o r s o t h a t w e l l i m T h
communi importan c l a s s m a t e s p a e r
cation/so t e r e i n c t e s
cial skills c a u s e w e w e d t r i
a s w e l l . b e n ’ t m ct i
Girl, Age 1
w n a n d I d i d t e o n
5-17, Laois
loc k d o h e m o s
t h e m Bo v i r r et
see y, Ag u s. ha
f e d u r i n g ublin
e1
5 -17 n
b l e t o b e s a Girl, A g e 1 5 -1 7, D , Ca
l t i m p o s s i i n a
van
It fe h e p a n d e m i c
o f t I fe el like the Covid-1
Experiences during Covid-19
t h e p e a k n a d a i l y 9 pandemic has aff
s t e r r i fi e d o lo t b e c a u s e w e w
e cted school child
school. I w a s m u c h e r e is o la t e d fo r s o long and now wit
ren quite a
a
OCO Children’s Survey
t o d i st a n c e b a c k to n o r m a l I t h in k a lo h things going
i s a n d t r i e d h i p o n p o s s ib ly
t o f people are still ve
r y unsure and
b a s a u s e h a r d s f e e l u n s a fe a n d u n easy. I also think it
b l e t h i s c e
le a r n in g quite drastically a has affected our
as possi h i p b e c a u s e n o o n n o w i t h in k t
s we missed abou
t 1.5 years of schoo
f r i e n d s h a t t h e p ressure is really b l and
making a l l y d i s t a n c i n g . s e n io r c y c le s t
e ing applied espec
ia lly to
els e w a s r e u d e n ts li ke 5th and 6th years
.
ublin
-17, D Girl, Age 15 -17, Limerick
G i r l , Ag e 1 5E N TAL
M
23
t e d a l o t o f
It has e f fe c
l h e a l t h a n d
m o re our m e n t a
t e n a l ot s e e m s l i ke
ot t i t
E
I hav e g n b u
L
I ’m c at i o
H A TH
m e d a n d e d u i g n o r i n g
e r w h e l e i s j u s t
ov
p p y a n y m o re . everyon w i t h t h e
t a s h a p e c i a l l y
no Dublin that es e r t .
Girl, Ag e 1 2 -1 4,
leavi n g c
5 -1 7, L imerick
Girl, Ag e 1
It made me feel
lonely and sad a lot Has given ma
of the time. ny anxiety an
some people d
struggle now
Girl, Age 9-11, Dublin with commun
ication a bit
and has been
very harsh on
those who ar m e n t a l
e shy or have Had a huge impac t o n m y
n d
developed an health, I develop e d d e p r e s s io n a
xiety as
Experiences during Covid-19
h a n e a t in g
Huge impa people don't was later diagn o s e d w it
ct on ment really care. t b e li e v e t h a t t he
health and al disorder. I do n o
OCO Children’s Survey
le r e a s o n f o r
ability to Girl, Age 12-14
, Dublin pandemic was th e s o
.
communic this but it cert a in ly c o n t r ib u te d
ate with
people in r Boy, Age 15-17, Kerry
eal life
Girl, Age 15
-17, Kerry24
Experiences during Covid-19
OCO Children’s Survey
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Millennium House F: 01 874 7333
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