Breaking the news

A great deal of recent news has been distressing and a cause for worry for people of all ages in the UK. However, for children in particular, the constant stream of saddening events can lead to anxiety and create real fear.

Kristen Harding from childcare agency Tinies has some advice for parents concerned about the effect the news is having on their children.

“The majority of news circulated via television, the internet and social media is aimed directly at adults,” she says. “Ideally, news should be conveyed to children in a more gentle way, if at all.

“Make use of parental controls as these are a good way of filtering which news you’d like your children to see. They are available on phones, computers and televisions.

“If you are watching the news with your child, they will have a close eye on you and will base their reactions on how you react. Keep a level head and stay calm when scrolling through headlines.

“Don’t ignore the situation and assume that your child is managing. Communicate about what is happening in the news. By hearing their thoughts and worries you are able to discuss the issues and start to put their mind at ease.

“It can be difficult for children to contextualise headlines they see on TV, which means they can overreact. By explaining the background, children can get a better sense of control and security.

“No two children are the same, so make sure you engage carefully with your own child to discern what affects them and to what extent.”