Raisa Masood
Content Editor | Aunt of many
How to Talk with Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
Exposure to graphic imagery and disturbing news can affect children's well-being. Get ideas for supporting your child when they learn about tragic events.
When news of horrific tragedies take over our screens and social media feeds, they trickle down to kids, too. And unfortunately these days, we're watching traumatic events unfold on our devices almost constantly. These scenes of real-life violence can affect a child's mental and emotional well-being.
Children may even experience vicarious trauma, which is when learning about troubling events affects us negatively. Graphic images and videos related to racial and ethnic violence can be particularly difficult for children of color and those from marginalized backgrounds.
It's hard to know what to say to children about the pain and suffering of others. It can be especially challenging for families when kids see images and videos of violence that impacts their own community. Here are some ways you can help children process and cope with news about violence, crime, and war.
- Explain the news to them in an age-appropriate way. Use this guide to help them understand what's happening. Give them space to share their feelings and reactions.
- Tell them they're safe, and offer hope. Whether the violence is taking place near home or far away, it can be scary for kids. Reassure them that they're not in immediate danger. Build on their resilience by balancing the scary news with stories of hope. You can also talk about meaningful and positive ways that your family can get involved to support a cause.
- Encourage them to take breaks from screens. Like adults, older kids and teens may want frequent updates on breaking news. But constant exposure to negative news can take a toll on us. So while it's important to stay informed, setting limits on how often kids see violent media coverage is best for their well-being.
- Focus on what connects us all. When individuals and communities are victims of tragic events, hate speech can be an extra burden to bear. Kids may encounter cruel language and false information, on- and offline. They may see or hear things meant to harm groups of people based on their religion, ethnicity, sexual identity, gender, or race. Standing up against hate speech, questioning sensationalized news, and celebrating your family's culture and the beauty of diversity are all ways to combat messages that are meant to divide us.
- Create a self-care routine. Routines can be comforting and let kids feel more in control. Help them make time for relaxing activities during times of uncertainty. That can include reading, taking walks, journaling, listening to music, or anything else that grounds them.
- Seek connection and support with your community. Knowing they're not alone and spending time with people who share similar experiences can help kids feel valued and accepted.
During these times, it's important to remember that we adults are processing a lot of distressing information too. Be sure to take care of yourself as you support your children through it all.
When news of horrific tragedies take over our screens and social media feeds, they trickle down to kids, too. And unfortunately these days, we're watching traumatic events unfold on our devices almost constantly. These scenes of real-life violence can affect a child's mental and emotional well-being.
Children may even experience vicarious trauma, which is when learning about troubling events affects us negatively. Graphic images and videos related to racial and ethnic violence can be particularly difficult for children of color and those from marginalized backgrounds.
It's hard to know what to say to children about the pain and suffering of others. It can be especially challenging for families when kids see images and videos of violence that impacts their own community. Here are some ways you can help children process and cope with news about violence, crime, and war.
- Explain the news to them in an age-appropriate way. Use this guide to help them understand what's happening. Give them space to share their feelings and reactions.
- Tell them they're safe, and offer hope. Whether the violence is taking place near home or far away, it can be scary for kids. Reassure them that they're not in immediate danger. Build on their resilience by balancing the scary news with stories of hope. You can also talk about meaningful and positive ways that your family can get involved to support a cause.
- Encourage them to take breaks from screens. Like adults, older kids and teens may want frequent updates on breaking news. But constant exposure to negative news can take a toll on us. So while it's important to stay informed, setting limits on how often kids see violent media coverage is best for their well-being.
- Focus on what connects us all. When individuals and communities are victims of tragic events, hate speech can be an extra burden to bear. Kids may encounter cruel language and false information, on- and offline. They may see or hear things meant to harm groups of people based on their religion, ethnicity, sexual identity, gender, or race. Standing up against hate speech, questioning sensationalized news, and celebrating your family's culture and the beauty of diversity are all ways to combat messages that are meant to divide us.
- Create a self-care routine. Routines can be comforting and let kids feel more in control. Help them make time for relaxing activities during times of uncertainty. That can include reading, taking walks, journaling, listening to music, or anything else that grounds them.
- Seek connection and support with your community. Knowing they're not alone and spending time with people who share similar experiences can help kids feel valued and accepted.
During these times, it's important to remember that we adults are processing a lot of distressing information too. Be sure to take care of yourself as you support your children through it all.
Raisa is passionate about helping kids thrive, which has led to her making a career out of reading and watching children's media. As a content editor at Common Sense, she works on tips and advice for families on managing entertainment and tech at home. She has previously worked in children's publishing and at nonprofit organizations. Raisa holds a bachelor's degree in Global Business and Marketing from Fordham University. She loves to read, travel, and watch football (aka soccer). You can find her exploring New York City during her free time, and trying to hunt down the best dumplings in the city (she has a never-ending list).
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