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News and current events

How are young people affected by news and current events?

Today, many kids have 24/7 access to information about what’s happening in the world—including videos of violence, natural disasters, and other global crises. When the news is scary or stressful, it can be hard to process, especially for young people who may not have the skills to cope with what they’re seeing.

How can I talk with my child about upsetting news and current events?

Before starting a conversation about something in the news, prepare yourself and think about what you want to say. If you feel overwhelmed, give yourself a chance to manage your emotions before talking with your child. It’s normal and healthy to feel sad, angry, or frustrated in response to upsetting news, but at the same time, you want to help your child feel grounded.

Even very young children often understand when something bad has happened in the world. They may catch a glimpse of a violent video on the news or overhear adults talking about a disturbing event. Talking with them directly in a way that they can understand can reduce their anxiety and reassure them that they are safe.

Get the facts about what happened before talking with your child, so that you can try to answer their questions. With breaking news, you may not have all the facts yet, and that’s okay. You can talk with your child about what is known, what is unknown, and why it’s important to avoid speculation.

Your child may already have heard other kids talking about the event at school or online, and this may include conflicting accounts or misinformation. When almost everyone is talking about a particular topic, it can feel overwhelming and be hard to ignore. Be prepared to talk about how early news reports may get things wrong, and why it’s important to fact-check. Remind them that they can take breaks from their phone—and if something is upsetting, they don’t have to watch it.

It may help to share reports about people who are helping those affected with your child. It could ease their anxiety to hear about first responders and community volunteers caring for the people who need help.

When should I start a conversation about upsetting news or current events?

You don’t have to talk to your child about every breaking news story or tragic event—but if something is likely to affect them personally, it is better for them to hear about it from you than from other sources. If they are likely to hear others talking about it, talk with them as soon as possible.

Your child may also come to you with questions about what happened. If they do, ask what they’ve heard and how it made them feel.

Here are a few ways to start:
 
  • If your child is very young, reassure them that they are safe. Remind them that it’s normal to feel strong emotions like sadness or anger after something bad happens.
     
  • Ask open-ended questions to find out what your child already knows and how they feel about it. They may have seen an upsetting news story or social media posts with photos or videos. Remind them that they can tell you, or ask you, anything.
     
  • Encourage your child to ask questions and express their feelings. If they ask for information about what happened, answer them honestly in an age-appropriate way. You don’t need to provide unnecessary details, as it may increase their anxiety.
     
  • With older children, consider watching a news report together so that you can have an informed conversation about what has happened. (If it’s breaking news, mention that reporters probably don’t have the whole story yet. It often takes time to gather all the facts.) Let your child lead the conversation, and listen to their concerns.
     
  • Offer your child different ways to express what they’re feeling. Some may want to talk it out, while others will feel more comfortable writing or drawing.

Sometimes children see or hear frightening things but feel reluctant to talk about them. If your child isn’t ready to talk about the event, be patient. Give them time, and check in again.

Even if your child does open up, they may still be deeply affected afterward.  Signs that your child may be having difficulty processing a traumatic event include:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Loss of interest in normal activities
  • Other behavior changes

If your child continues to struggle to process what happened, consider reaching out to their school counselor, their pediatrician, or a mental health professional.

How can I continue to support my child after upsetting news or current events? 

When you talk about upsetting news with other adults, be mindful of what you say if there are children around. Avoid sharing graphic details or speculating on what happened. Kids may be listening, even if it looks like they aren’t. Another option is to limit your child’s exposure to news reports and videos.

Stick to your normal family routines as much as possible. Create a safe, supportive environment where children know their basic needs will be met. Let them know you love them and will do your best to keep them safe.

If you take any actions to support the people affected by the event, such as making a donation or volunteering your time, talk with your child about it.

If you can tell your child is struggling to cope with traumatic news, those intense emotions are likely to lessen with time. If the symptoms continue for more than a few weeks or are concerning at any point, your child may need additional support. [Source: NIH]

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