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HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT SCARY NEWS: 9 TIPS FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST
Jan 3, 2025 |
By Justin Carreras, PhD
Share
Children today are exposed to more information than at any other time in
history. This reality has hit especially close to home for Louisiana in the wake
of the New Year's attack in New Orleans. Our children can access news and media
not only through television, but through several forms of social media on their
phones and tablets.
Social media increases the amount of media content they have access to and
lessens the control parents have over what their children see. It also exposes
children to a rawer form of media, including firsthand accounts, videos and
pictures - something particularly challenging when the events they're seeing
happened in places they know and recognize.
While children may be able to maintain some emotional distance from troubling
events they see happening far away, when tragedy strikes in familiar places --
their own city, near their school, or where their parents work -- it can feel
overwhelmingly real and frightening.
This unprecedented access to information comes in the midst of ongoing
challenges: acts of terrorism both local and global, war, refugee crises,
violent crime, and political and social conflict here and abroad. It's not
surprising then that children in our community and beyond are reporting more
anxiety, and parents are asking with increasing urgency for recommendations for
talking to their children about scary media, especially when that media hits so
close to home.
Monitor your own emotional reaction to the news. Children are experts at picking
up on the emotions of adults around them, and no emotions are more impactful to
them than those of their parents. It’s OK to tell your child if news makes you
sad, but ensure that you’re calm and collected when you do so.
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT SCARY NEWS:
1. Monitor your own emotional reaction to the news – Children are experts at
picking up on the emotions of adults around them, and no emotions are more
impactful to them than those of their parents.
2. Limit their exposure to the news – We may have less control over what our
children can access, but we do still have some. Think about your child’s
developmental level and maturity to determine what kind of content is
appropriate. Set limits on screen time, use parental filters and restrict
mature content.
3. Check in with kids about what they are hearing – Ask your children questions
to assess what they are seeing in the media. Being proactive allows you the
opportunity to help them process and understand it from the beginning. Some
parents may worry that bringing up sensitive topics will create anxiety
where none existed, however your questions are unlikely to be the first time
they are hearing about these topics. Putting it out in the open allows you
to process it as a family. If a child is disinterested or doesn’t want to
talk about it, don’t push.
4. Clear up misunderstandings – Having asked what they already know, you will
be in position to correct any misunderstandings they have about what is
happening.
5. Answer questions truthfully – Tell them the truth when they ask questions,
but do not share more information than is necessary to answer their
question. Consider their developmental level when deciding what to share.
6. Ask open-ended questions about their thoughts and feelings – “How do you
feel about that?” and “What do you think about that?” will help them process
and give parents a good sense of how they are coping and what they are
worried about.
7. Provide reassurance and a sense of safety – Address their specific fears and
explain why you have confidence they are safe. However, continue to be
honest and do not dismiss what they are afraid of. For events that may be
realistic concerns, such as natural disasters and illness, talk confidently
about how your family can be prepared and trust in your preparation.
8. Fictional media – Young children can have trouble differentiating between
fiction and reality. Scary movies, videos and games can seem real to
children and can lead to anxiety and nightmares. Start by limiting access to
scary movies and video games for young children; preview them first if
necessary. Remind them that it is make believe and designed to be scary.
9. Keep monitoring after the conversation is over – By checking in, you open
the line of communication and provide a safe place for kids to talk about
feelings. Look for changes in their behavior that may indicate anxiety or
stress and consult a behavioral health provider if you are concerned.
Learn more about child psychologist Justin Carreras, PhD.
Tags
social media
anxiety
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
Health Trends
Jan. 3, 2025
SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS: 4 THINGS PARENTS SHOULD DO
How much screen time should children have, and what are the effects? Here are
answers from a licensed clinical social worker.
By Heather L. Kindschy, LCSW
Parenting
July 22, 2024
4 SMARTPHONE ALTERNATIVES TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE ONLINE
Smartphones let us call, text and access the internet, but for older children
and “tweens,” this technology can sometimes hurt more than it helps.
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