Kids and TV in the background The intense media coverage that accompanies traumatic events, such as devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, or war, can be very disturbing for children and teens. Certain young people are particularly vulnerable.
Parents, and indeed everyone, should work to lessen children’s anxieties that may arise from their inadvertent viewing of coverage of catastrophic events.
Three quick rules:
Monitoring media exposure
Mediating media images and messages
Mitigating the media’s impact
Monitor
Keep an eye on what is on television, particularly around young children. Protect kids from intensely disturbing or frightening TV images by closely monitoring what is on the television. Never leave them on as background noise and switch away from coverage of traumatic events when kids enter the room.
Do not assume that children are unaware of news events. It is almost impossible to be unaware of current events in our information age. Even very young children hear and see more than we think, so it is important to question them about what they have learned and how they are feeling.
Look for signs of anxiety in children. Some children are more susceptible to anxiety about events reported in the media. Various factors influence children’s reactions, including age, temperament, a tendency to worry or a vivid imagination. Children are more likely to dwell on certain news events if they themselves have been victims of violence, war or similar tragedies, if they have relatives or friends living in the affected area, or if they have family in the military or in emergency-response professions.
Mediate
Help children feel safe. When traumatic events occur, kids need to have the risks to themselves and their families put into a realistic context. While we should be concerned about conflicts in other parts of the world, children need to be reassured that these events do not pose a direct threat to them. Explain how governments and organizations such as the United Nations, the Red Cross and UNICEF are working hard to make the world a safer place for all children.
Make the time to listen to any concerns children may have. Be honest when answering questions. With young children, however, do not elaborate with long, detailed explanations. Some children may ignore news coverage of catastrophes in order to avoid unpleasant feelings. If they do not want to talk about the events, tell them that is fine. It is okay to just let them be kids.
Tell them how you are feeling. Be aware of the impact that traumatic events may have on your own emotions and behaviour. Share your feelings with kids. It helps older kids to know that such events are upsetting to adults as well. Remember, however, that young children may become more fearful if they sense anxiety and tension in the adults around them.
Mitigate
Help older children to analyze media coverage. Use the opportunity to educate kids about how the media works. If watching news coverage with older kids, talk about it. Explain that news is a business with a need to attract audiences and that need influences editorial decisions on what events make the news and how they are reported.
Expand your sources of information. Seek out news coverage from a variety of sources including the Internet, newspapers, magazines and radio. Access alternative media as well as mainstream media outlets. If your children are reading about current events on the Internet, check out the sources of the information to ensure their credibility. Compare the coverage by Canadian, American and other international media. Talk about the differences in how various media approach the same event.
Emphasize the positive things that may arise from traumatic events. Talk about how, after a tragedy, there is usually a shared outpouring of grief, concern for the victims’ families and admiration for the heroes. Traumatic events can make us pull together and talk about the importance of loved ones and the value of life.
Take action to make a difference
Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Helping people in your community or another part of the world can help minimize feelings of despair and helplessness. Let children choose their own course of action. They can volunteer at a local food bank, make a donation to a refugee support organization or write a letter expressing their concerns to the local newspaper.
Arlette Lefebvre, MD, FRCPC, Staff Psychiatrist, SickKids
Sarah Kelsey, Communications and Public Affairs, SickKids
