SUNDAY, May 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- After weeks of confinement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, kids, teens and grownups alike are probably getting on one another's nerves big time by now.
So what's the secret to defusing bouts of pouting, screaming and crying?
Experts suggest parents start with understanding. Children and teens miss the lack of personal connection they're used to, and online-only encounters are losing their allure.
Young kids respond to boredom and frustration the only way they know how: By throwing tantrums. Teens rebel through isolation, ignoring social distancing or sneaking out.
"Younger children like to actively play together, so to them, an 'online playdate' might seem too impersonal," said Dr. Katherine Shedlock, a pediatrician with Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey, Penn.
And although teens interact with their friends online, said nurse practitioner Lisa Culler, "they also crave -- and miss -- the socialization of participating in school and other favorite activities."
Here's some ways to help curb negative behaviors:
If tantrums don't stop or kids turn to self-harm or isolation, speak with a professional.
More information
For more on temper tantrums, head to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.