“Children today face more exposure to the news than any other generation has,” says Chirayu Parikh, DO, Associate Medical Director of Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health’s New Brunswick location. “While past generations often had to actively search for information on current events, today, with social media, 24-hour news on TV, and electronic devices accessible to even very young children, reducing exposure to the news requires considerable effort.”
To help your child cope with and understand the news, Dr. Parikh, who is board certified in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, recommends:
- Find out what your child knows. Begin by asking your child, in general terms, if they have heard anything about the specific news event. Regardless of their response, if your child seems uninterested in the news, do not push them to discuss it. Instead, let them know you are there if they want to talk.
- Be honest, but do not over share. It is important your child trusts that you are being honest when answering their questions. At the same time, you want to focus on helping them feel safe, rather than oversharing information on a topic unless they seek further information from you.
- Help them feel they have some control. By allowing your child to share their concerns, putting the news event in a context they can relate to, and working together to develop a plan of action if one is called for, you can reduce the sense of helplessness your child may be feeling.
- Monitor news exposure. Decide what news and how much is appropriate for your child depending on their age and temperament. If exposure to current events is causing your child distress, do what you can to limit what they can access or, for older children, suggest they take a break from following the news.
- Keep the lines of communication open. Casually check in on your child on a regular basis to see how they are feeling about the news, and assure them you are there for them at any time.
“You should always be alert to any signs of stress that might require professional help,” says Dr. Parikh. “Changes in sleep patterns, such as disturbed sleep or sleeping too much; physical complaints like stomach problems; and changes in behavior can all be signs your child is experiencing stress or fears that need attention.”
If you notice significant changes in your child and they are unable to sleep, function in school, or engage with others, and following these suggestions does not help, speak to your pediatrician and school psychologist. They know your child and local resources that may be able to help.
For some children, intensive treatment three or five days a week may be beneficial. Princeton House Behavioral Health’s child and adolescent services are available in Moorestown and Hamilton, and via telehealth for children ages six to 17.
For information about Princeton House services, call 888.437.1610, extension 2 or visit princetonhouse.org/children.
To learn more or share this information with other parents, visit Princeton Health’s YouTube page and watch Dr. Parikh’s video called Talking to Children and Teens about Tragic Events.