By Clinical Partners on Monday, 17 March 2025
Category: Child & Teen Mental Health

How to talk to your child about the news and distressing events

Distressing news is everywhere, from TV screens to social media, and children are not immune to its impact. While adults may have coping mechanisms to process difficult stories, children and young people may struggle to understand or manage their emotions when faced with unsettling events without support.

As parents and caregivers, it’s crucial to have open and honest conversations with children about current events in a way that reassures and supports them. This guide provides practical suggestions on discussing difficult topics with children, helping them feel safe while also understanding the world around them.

Table of contents


Understanding how children process news

Children of different ages will react differently to distressing events. Young children may struggle with abstract concepts, which can make it easier for them to accept news at face value, but can make them susceptible to internalising their fears. Teenagers are likely to have a better understanding of the context surrounding news, making it easier to understand, but they also might feel more overwhelmed by the bigger picture. Some common reactions include:

Recognising these emotions and validating them is an important step in supporting your child.

Creating a safe space for communication

It can be difficult talking to children about negative things happening in the world around them, and it’s understandable that you may feel apprehensive about approaching the topics covered in the news. The first step is ensuring that the conversation is had at a time and place that makes the child comfortable and that they are supported throughout. Some suggestions for creating a safe space are:

How to have age-appropriate discussions about the news

It’s important to tailor discussions to your child’s age and maturity level. Some topics are not appropriate to discuss in-depth with younger children and some details may need to be left out to prevent distress. You’ll likely have the best idea of what your child is able to hear or how much you’re happy to tell them, but a useful guideline is:

Things to remember when talking to children about difficult subjects

To make sure that the conversation addresses your child’s concerns and reassures them, make sure you:

Managing wellbeing after talking to your child about the news

While your child is processing what they’ve learned, especially when the news is negative, it’s important they are supported beyond talking. Some ways you can look after their wellbeing are:

When to seek additional support

When faced with distressing news, it’s normal for children to have an emotional response. In younger children this can manifest as extra clinginess while older children may be outwardly angrier or upset. It’s important to give your child time to process their emotions but, if you are overwhelmed by their response or believe that they are struggling more than they should, you may find it useful to reach out for support.

Some signs your child might need more support are:

If their distress continues, consider speaking to a teacher, counsellor, or mental health professional. You can learn more about signs your child is anxious here.