Signs of Social Anxiety in Children

If you have a child that is exhibiting odd behaviors and avoidance, it is possible he or 
she has social anxiety. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for so you can 
help them get the proper treatment.

Trouble Making Friends

A very common sign that your child is dealing with social anxiety is when he or she is 
having trouble making friends. It tends to be easier in general for kids to make friends 
than adults. If your child has been in school for a few months, and has yet to mention 
anyone they are talking to, it might be due either to shyness or social anxiety. However, 
with shyness, they typically get over it in time. They might not talk to someone on the 
first day, but soon they are able to make friends pretty easily when they feel a little more 
comfortable with classmates.

Increased Problems at School

Behavioral changes like having difficulty at school is another common sign that a child 
has some social anxiety. This is often because they are so fearful in class, that they 
have trouble concentrating. It might be that they can’t focus when the teacher is 
speaking, or they refuse to raise their hand and lose credits for not participating. Some 
classes require oral presentations, which can be all but impossible with sever anxiety. 
Look for these signs and talk to their teacher or school counselor about how to remedy 
it.

Constantly Fearing Social Situations

This is something that you can pay attention to and notice when your child has some 
anxiety problems. Your child might be skipping out on all social situations, such as 
hiding alone somewhere during parties, or getting invites from kids at school and never 
going. This is often not from lack of interest but nervousness about the social situations.

Hating to Be the Center of Attention

A more subtle sign that a kid has problems with social anxiety is when they never want 
to be the center of attention. This comes from not wanting any attention, good or bad. 
They don’t want to be in the limelight and try to blend in as much as possible. Children 
who never want this type of attention can often be exhibiting early signs of having some 
type of social anxiety disorder. 

There are many treatment options for children of all ages who are suffering from social 
anxiety.


