While the media (television, radio, print and the internet) can help inform and educate you and your children about recent events, such as terrorism or shootings, media coverage unfortunately also has the potential to upset and confuse. As parents, you can protect your children by helping them understand media coverage while limiting their exposure to distressing images.
The impact of the media coverage will be different depending on whether you are:
- A family who has loved ones in the affected area
- A family who has been affected by a recent loss or trauma in the past
- A family not directly threatened who is viewing news about the impact of this event on others (individuals killed, injured or suffering)
Understanding media exposure. Media coverage can increase fears and anxiety in children. The more time they spend watching coverage of tragic events, the more likely they are to have negative reactions. Graphic images and news stories of chaos, injury and death are especially upsetting.
What parents can do to help. It can be difficult for children and teens to process these types of events. There are ways you, as a parent, can help:
- Limit your children’s exposure to media coverage. The younger the child, the less exposure they should have or choose to eliminate all exposure for young children.
- Watch and discuss with children and teens. Watch what they watch, discuss the news stories with them and ask children and teens what they have seen online and on social media.
- Monitor adult conversations. Be careful of what you say and other adults say about the recent event or the media coverage in front of children. Remember they often listen when adults are unaware and may misunderstand what they hear.
- Educate yourself. Learn about children’s reactions to traumatic events. Visit nctsn.org for more information on the subject.
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