Recently, Anya Kamenetz and Cory Turner at NPR updated their article in which they spoke a handful of child development experts about what parents, teachers and other caregivers can say to help kids process all the scary news out there. The full article can be listened to and read at https://www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716704917/when-the-news-is-scary-what-to-say-to-kids and a summary of their advice is available below.
Limit children’s exposure to breaking news, especially unsupervised or ambient viewing (e.g., the TV running in the background). Adults need to control when and how kids come across disturbing content.
Check in gently on what they’ve heard and how they feel. Choose a calm time—like dinner or bedtime—to ask, “What have you heard? How does that make you feel?” This creates a safe space for kids to express themselves.
Provide facts and context to help dispel misinformation—especially important in the age of social media. For instance, clarify serious rumors, like “No, there’s not a draft and World War III hasn’t begun.”
Avoid labeling individuals as “bad guys”. Instead, describe behavior—explain that some people might be in pain, angry, or making poor choices. And it’s okay to say, “I don’t know why it happened,” when the answer is simply not available.
Encourage children to process events through play and art. Creative expression helps them make sense of what’s overwhelming—allowing them to construct their stories and understand emotions in a safe way.
Focus on the helpers—highlight stories of people taking care of others. Fred Rogers’s advice—“When something scary is happening, look for the helpers”—can help shift perspective toward hope and resilience.
Take positive action together. Involve kids in meaningful efforts like peaceful rallies, donation drives, or writing to officials. Taking action creates a sense of agency and reduces anxiety.