• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Social Anxiety in Children: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Help

Published: December 8, 2022 Updated: January 5, 2023
Published: 12/08/2022 Updated: 01/05/2023
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Heidi Moawad

MD
  • What Is Social Anxiety in Children?Social Anxiety in Children
  • Possible Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder in ChildrenPossible Causes
  • Tips for Helping Children With Social AnxietyHow to Help a Child
  • When to Seek Professional Help for Kids with Social AnxietyWhen to Seek Help
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Social Anxiety in Children InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Heidi Moawad

MD

Social anxiety in children can be hard to identify and notice, and goes far beyond feeling shy around new people. Children often feel insecure about how they are perceived or judged by peers, and fear when they may be put in uncomfortable situations where these insecurities are on display. However, there are both therapy and medication options available to help children cope with and manage symptoms.

Would your teenager benefit from therapy? Therapy can help teenagers develop self-esteem and feel less overwhelmed by their emotions. Teen Counseling specializes in serving teens, and parents of teenagers. The services start at $60. Complete a brief questionnaire and a therapist will be suggested based on your answers.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Teen Counseling / BetterHelp.

Get Started

What Is Social Anxiety in Children?

Social anxiety disorder is a condition in which childhood anxiety becomes overwhelming in certain communal situations. This can negatively impact a child’s relationships with others, as they struggle with worries about making friends, meeting new people, and being in new social environments. They are more likely to feel embarrassed, focus on how they are perceived by others, and have heightened fears of rejection. These experiences differ from typical shyness, as they can become internalized by a child.1

Common symptoms of social anxiety in children include:

  • Unhealthy self-consciousness in social situations
  • Avoidance behaviors
  • Feelings of sadness and helplessness
  • Excessive sweating, stomach issues, or blushing
  • Feeling anxiously attached to caregivers
  • Self-isolation

Possible Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder in Children

There are many reasons a child may develop social anxiety disorder. These behaviors are affected by a number of factors including genetics, environment, among others. Social anxiety disorder is likely to develop following major life events or developmental milestones.2

However, it is important to note that experiencing symptoms of social anxiety is not indicative of a disorder, as social anxiety may occasionally pop up for children during times of stress or discomfort.

Social anxiety in children may be caused by:

Environmental Factors

Children learn and absorb a lot from their environments. They typically learn through observation, which begins at a very young age. Thus, it is believed that parenting styles may increase the risk of childhood social anxiety. For example, parents who choose to adopt an authoritarian approach, which focuses on a parent-led expectation of children’s behavior, can greatly influence a child’s self-esteem. Parents who behave negatively or harshly when their child acts out or exhibits emotion can result in the child accepting false truths about their self-worth.

To add, peer pressure can encourage children to participate in things they are uncomfortable with. Because of this, a child may find it easier to learn avoidance strategies, rather than simply refusing to engage. In turn, this can develop into social anxiety the longer it goes unaddressed. Bullying can be harmful, as children may avoid going to school or participating in activities they enjoy due to their negative experiences associated with these environments. Children may become anxious in these social situations, as they fear that they may be bullied or picked on again.4

Genetics

Many studies suggest that anxiety and other mental health issues can be genetic and passed down to children. A child is much more likely to display symptoms of anxiety or social anxiety if they have a parent with the same diagnosis. Therefore, some children may be more predisposed to anxiety disorders from birth, and further develop these behaviors themselves by imitating their parents.3

Brain Development & Functioning

Children who frequently experience intense feelings of fear, anger, or any other emotion are more likely to enter a ‘fight-or-flight’ mode. When this happens, their brain reprograms itself to respond in certain ways to specific situations. Social anxiety may result from poor coping skills, emotional regulation, or emotional expression. Thus, when these types of brain activity continue, social anxiety can increase.2

Popular Options For Child & Teen Therapy

Talkiatry – Talkiatry offers virtual psychiatry for children and adolescents (age 6 and up). They’re in-network with every major insurer and offer medication management with talk therapy. Complete the online assessment and get matched with a doctor in just days. Free Assessment


Teen Counseling – Provides online talk therapy to teenagers (13 – 19 years) of age. Serves all 50 states. Learn More


Manatee – Provides parent coaching for behavioral issues including tantrums, talking back, video game addiction, and aggressive behaviors. Free Consultation


Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry, Teen Counseling, and Manatee.

7 Tips for Helping Children With Social Anxiety

There are a lot of ways for parents to support their child with social anxiety. Doing so can be helpful both at home and at school in collaboration with a teacher or school counselor. It’s important to make this a team approach, and ensure that your child is receiving the same support from every trusted adult in their life.

Below are seven tips for helping a child with social anxiety:

1. Teach Healthy Coping Skills

Teaching a child healthy coping mechanisms is beneficial when dealing with social anxiety. It’s crucial that children know and are able to access tools to help them with self-soothing techniques, and also that parents model these behaviors at home.

2. Build Their Self-Esteem

Parents should continuously focus on building a child’s self-esteem, especially for a child with social anxiety. Try encouraging your child to share their opinions and feelings, offering reassurance and validation, and working on creating a secure attachment with your child. Other family members and trusted adults can also support you with this. Children who have higher self-esteem are more likely to bounce back from negative experiences at school and from other children.

3. Encourage Social Outings

Helping your child remain open to social gatherings and situations is important, as these experiences offer them with new learning opportunities. By not avoiding uncomfortable situations, your child can identify new tools to manage their anxiety. Engaging your child in team sports or group activities can be a great way to keep them excited about something and lessen symptoms. If they are engaged in an activity they care about and that brings them joy, it will make certain social situations feel safer.

4. Model Positive Self-Talk

Children learn by observing. If we as parents are exhibiting a lot of anxiety ourselves, this can certainly give children the wrong message about how they are to behave. It’s important that we care for ourselves and ensure we are practicing healthy self-talk so children can learn how to do so themselves.

5. Teach Mindfulness

Mindfulness is beneficial for adults, but showing children how to behave mindfully can help them learn new ways to calm themselves when they are overwhelmed. It is a great way to reduce feelings of anxiety and restless thoughts.

6. Practice Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques are helpful for children to access when they are overwhelmed. Grounding brings our focus back to ourselves and our body in a given moment. By showing this to our children, we are teaching them to recognize how they can handle anxious thoughts when they arise, and offer guidance and encouragement along the way.

7. Facilitate Cognitive Reframing

This is helpful for children who engage in catastrophic thinking. Cognitive reframing encourages children to look at the same situation from a positive lens. Since anxiety is often rooted in ‘worst case scenario’ mentalities and not reality, cognitive reframing helps children learn that not all of their thoughts are accurate.5

When to Seek Professional Help for Kids with Social Anxiety

It is important to seek professional help if you find that your home-based remedies or tools are not improving your child’s symptoms. While social anxiety cannot be cured, it is absolutely possible to manage it so it does not become a barrier for your child. Children whose parents are involved in their treatment are better able to cope with and adjust to social anxiety.

Treatment options for a child with social anxiety include:

Therapy

Therapy is great for children with social anxiety, as it offers them a safe space to talk about their feelings in a private, one-on-one setting. Parents can offer their child encouragement by expressing trust in the process. Further, they can feel at ease with the understanding that therapy isn’t a reflection of their parenting, but rather a reflection of how much they love their child. To find the right therapist for your child, consider speaking with their pediatrician or using an online therapist directory to identify therapists with the proper expertise.

Therapy options for children with social anxiety include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for kids helps children learn ways to reprogram their thoughts and actions, so they can feel more in control of their emotions.5
  • Family therapy: Family therapy is an approach that involves the whole family, and focuses on how familial dynamics may contribute to a child’s social anxiety. It ensures that all family members have an equal say, with an emphasis on understanding the parental impact on children.
  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT): MBCT helps children feel more at ease and in control, as they are taught to take a step back from their situation mindfully.
  • Play therapy: Play therapy offers children the ability to work through tough emotions through play and thus associate these feelings with positive experiences.
  • Group Therapy: Group therapy is a great way for children to learn social skills, work through feelings of insecurity, and practice communication with other children.

Medications

Medications for SAD may be recommended for some children, and SSRIs are the most common type prescribed for the treatment of social anxiety.6

Final Thoughts

If your child or a child you love appears to be struggling with social anxiety, there are plenty of support options available to help you both find ways to manage this, work through it, and live fulfilling lives. Don’t lose hope! Working with a therapist is a great way to learn how to move forward in healthy ways. Together you can come up with a plan and strategy to help your child feel more comfortable in their own skin.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minutes weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month). Get Started

Learn Mindfulness, Meditation, & Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Online-Therapy.com, Hims / Hers, and Mindfulness.com

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
  • The 21 Best Parenting Books
  • What to Expect When Sending Your Child or Teen to Counseling
  • How Can Art Therapy Be Used for Children & Adolescents?

Social Anxiety in Children Infographics

What Is Social Anxiety in Children?   Tips for Helping Children with Social Anxiety   When to Seek Professional Help for Kids with Social Anxiety

6 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Fox, N. A., et al. (2021). Understanding the emergence of social anxiety in children with behavioral inhibition. Biological Psychiatry, 89(7), 681-689.

  • Moghaddam Poor, N., & Sepahvand, T. (2018). The explanation of social anxiety in primary school children based on difficulties in emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility of mothers. Quarterly Journal of Child Mental Health, 5(2), 14-24.

  • Riglin, L., et al (2020). Using genetics to examine a general liability to childhood psychopathology. Behavior Genetics, 50(4), 213-220.

  • Goldsmith, H. H., et al. (2022). Childhood inhibition predicts adolescent social anxiety: Findings from a longitudinal twin study. Development and Psychopathology, 1-20.

  • Egenti, N. T., et al. (2019). Randomized controlled evaluation of the effect of music therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy on social anxiety symptoms. Medicine, 98(32).

  • Dobson, E. T., Bloch, M. H., & Strawn, J. R. (2019). Efficacy and tolerability of pharmacotherapy for pediatric anxiety disorders: a network meta-analysis. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 80(1), 14375.

Recent Articles

Avoidant Personality Disorder vs. Social Anxiety: Key Differences
Avoidant Personality Disorder vs. Social Anxiety: Key Differences
The symptoms of avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) overlap significantly with those of social anxiety disorder, including strong fears of...
';
CBT for Social Anxiety: How It Works, Examples & Effectiveness
CBT for Social Anxiety: How It Works, Examples & Effectiveness
CBT is a popular technique to treat people who are suffering from social anxiety. CBT is highly research and...
';
School Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Help
School Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Help
There are many types of anxiety disorders that a child or teen may experience. However, school anxiety can be...
';
Social Anxiety vs. Shyness: Understanding the Difference
Shyness Vs. Social Anxiety: Understanding the Difference
Shyness and social anxiety have been used interchangeably, but the two are subtly different. Someone who is shy is...
';
Do Parents Really Have Favorites_ X Things to Consider
Do Parents Really Have Favorites? 6 Things to Consider
While ideally, parents would treat kids equally, favoritism does happen in families. Unequal treatment of children can change over...
';
Signs You're Socially Awkward and How to Deal with It
Signs You’re Socially Awkward & How to Deal With It
Social awkwardness isn’t a mental health condition and there’s no diagnosis for it; rather it's the sum of feelings...
';
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Heidi Moawad

MD
  • What Is Social Anxiety in Children?Social Anxiety in Children
  • Possible Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder in ChildrenPossible Causes
  • Tips for Helping Children With Social AnxietyHow to Help a Child
  • When to Seek Professional Help for Kids with Social AnxietyWhen to Seek Help
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Social Anxiety in Children InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept