Yes, eLearning has brought significant challenges and “headaches” for parents, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues parents face, supported by research and studies:
1. Increased Stress and Mental Health Strain
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Many parents reported “significantly higher levels of stress” due to managing their children’s online learning, leading to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.
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A study found that 81% of parents whose children struggled with eLearning reported feeling depressed, compared to 59% of those whose children adapted well.
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Parents also experienced burnout from juggling work, household duties, and acting as proxy educators.
2. Technical and Academic Challenges
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Technostress: Parents unfamiliar with digital tools struggled to assist their children, leading to frustration.
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Academic pressure: Many lacked teaching skills, making it difficult to explain school material effectively.
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Tech disparities: Lower-income families faced issues like unreliable internet, lack of devices, or needing public Wi-Fi for schoolwork.
3. Behavioral and Emotional Struggles in Children
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Increased screen time (up to 8+ hours daily) led to headaches, eye strain, and poor posture in kids.
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Social isolation and emotional distress in children contributed to parental stress as they managed tantrums, anxiety, and motivation issues.
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Distractions (e.g., gaming, social media) made it harder for parents to keep kids focused on schoolwork.
4. Work-Life Balance Disruptions
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Remote-working parents faced constant interruptions, reducing productivity and increasing job-related stress.
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Lack of structured routines made it difficult to balance work, teaching, and household responsibilities.
5. Financial and Logistical Burdens
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Some families struggled with the cost of technology (laptops, high-speed internet).
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Parents in lower-income brackets were more likely to report tech-related difficulties, exacerbating stress.
6. Mitigation Strategies
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Screen breaks (e.g., the 20-20-20 rule) to reduce headaches.
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Virtual study groups to maintain social interaction.
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Parent-teacher communication (e.g., WhatsApp groups) for better support.
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Flexible work policies (e.g., employer-provided tutoring benefits) to ease parental workload.
What role is ParSon playing in eLearning?
ParSon is the parent interface for the school’s MDM service, allowing parents to manage their children’s devices after school and during holidays. This arrangement strengthens the relationship between schools and parents, enabling schools and parents to develop usage agreements based on the school curriculum and the progress of children’s independent learning.
For further details, please contact us.