Helping Children Navigate War in the Media
In today’s digital world, children and young people are exposed to global events almost instantly. Images and reports of war—whether on television, social media, or through conversations at school—can feel overwhelming and frightening. Even when conflict is happening far away, the emotional impact can feel very close to home. As adults, parents, carers and professionals, we have an important role in helping children process what they see and hear in a safe and supportive way.
1. Start by Listening
When children express fear about war, the first and most important step is to listen. Children often pick up fragments of information and may fill in the gaps with their imagination. Ask open questions such as:
- “What have you heard?”
- “How does it make you feel?”
- “What worries you the most?”
Allowing them to talk helps adults correct misunderstandings and provides reassurance. Children benefit when adults create a calm space where they can express feelings without judgement.
Listening also validates their emotions. Even if fears seem unrealistic to adults, they are real to the child.
2. Offer Age-Appropriate Information
Children need honest but developmentally appropriate explanations. Avoid overwhelming them with graphic details. Younger children may need simple reassurance such as:
“The fighting is happening far away, and the people whose job it is to keep us safe are working hard.”
Older children and teenagers may require more nuanced discussions, particularly if they are following events independently on social media.
Adults should provide factual information while emphasising safety and support systems in place. Being truthful builds trust and prevents children from imagining scenarios worse than reality.
3. Limit Exposure to Distressing Media
Repeated viewing of distressing images can increase anxiety. Continuous news cycles often replay dramatic footage, which may heighten fear.
It is recommended that parents/carers should limit children’s exposure to media coverage of traumatic events or if appropriate/possible, watch and listen to some aspects of the news together so adults can explain and contextualise what is being shown.
Practical strategies include:
- Turning off rolling news channels
- Monitoring social media use
- Encouraging breaks from screens
- Creating “news-free” times at home
4. Reassure Through Routine and Predictability
War reported in the media can make the world feel unsafe and unpredictable. Maintaining familiar routines—mealtimes, school attendance, bedtime rituals—helps restore a sense of stability.
Research highlights that consistent routines provide emotional security during times of stress. When daily life continues as normal, children receive a powerful message: their immediate world remains stable and safe.
5. Encourage Emotional Expression
Children express fear in different ways. Younger children may regress in behaviour, become clingy, or act out. Teenagers might withdraw, become irritable, or appear disengaged.
Encourage safe expression through:
- Drawing or creative activities
- Storytelling
- Play
- Journaling (for older children)
Naming emotions helps children regulate them. Adults can model this by saying, “I feel sad when I see people hurt, but I also know there are helpers.”
6. Emphasise Helpers and Hope
Highlighting stories of humanitarian aid, peace efforts, and communities supporting one another can counterbalance fear. Fred Rogers famously advised children to “look for the helpers.” This principle aligns with trauma-informed approaches that focus on safety, connection and empowerment.
Focusing on acts of kindness reinforces the idea that even during conflict, many people are working to restore peace and protect others.
7. Be Alert to Signs of Ongoing Distress
Most children will feel temporarily worried and then recover with reassurance. However, seek further support if a child shows:
- Persistent sleep disturbances
- Nightmares
- Ongoing anxiety
- Physical complaints (e.g., stomach aches)
- Avoidance of school
- Intense separation anxiety
In such cases, consultation with a GP, school pastoral team, or mental health professional may be appropriate.
Conclusion
Exposure to news about war can make children feel powerless and afraid. However, supportive adults can significantly reduce anxiety by listening carefully, providing accurate information, limiting media exposure, maintaining routines, and encouraging emotional expression.
Children do not need adults to have all the answers—they need adults who are calm, honest, and emotionally available. By creating safe spaces for discussion and modelling resilience, we help children develop the coping skills they will carry into adulthood.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics (2018) Media use in school-aged children and adolescents. https://publications.aap.org
American Psychological Association (2022) Talking to children about difficult news and tragedies. https://www.apa.org
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (2022) Talking to children about war and conflict. https://www.nspcc.org.uk
Pynoos, R.S., Steinberg, A.M. and Goenjian, A. (1999) ‘Traumatic stress in childhood and adolescence: Recent developments and current controversies’, in Traumatic stress. New York: Guilford Press.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2014) SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.
Young Minds (2022) How to talk to your child about scary world events. Available at: https://www.youngminds.org.uk
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