An urgent mental health crisis has arisen as the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its third year in the United States. How do we understand children's reactions to these developmental disruptions? A group of child analytic clinicians, working with children and families online throughout the pandemic, have observed long-range consequences on development that range from traumatic disruptions to growth opportunities. Three clinical vignettes illustrate the varying impact of the move to online school and therapy on children's self-development. We consider what kinds of external and internal supports a child need in order to make use of the social interactions that occur in virtual reality.