How to talk to children when the news is scary.

by First News Editor in Chief Nicky Cox MBE

 

 

1. Don’t try to turn off the news when there is bad news. Sadly, in the technological world in which we live, adults are no longer in control of how children access information.

News comes at us 24 hours a day from dedicated news channels, radio, the internet, and newspaper headlines. Even if you manage to shield your children from all of that, things that happen in the news will be talked about in the school playground or lunch hall. Better that your child is armed with the real facts than hearing exaggerated, second or third-hand versions.

Information is better than misinformation. Click here to read our explainer about the conflict in Israel & Palestine and watch a film from 2022 about two young people from both sides. 

 

2. Even if your child doesn’t mention bad news, don’t assume they are not troubled by it. They may be worrying quietly inside. Explain simply what has happened, taking care not to use sensationalised words that tend to be used by the national press. Let them voice their concerns too and have a conversation about it if they’d like to.

 

3. First News covers good and bad news in the paper and in the daily news stories on the First News app. Use our content, made especially for children, as a platform to talk to children about the news. It is always created to explain what has happened but to offer reassurance, too.

 

4. Remind them that there is much more good news than bad news happening. And that there are many more good people than bad people in the world.