A woman, man, and baby sit on a brown couch and watch the news

A guide to age-appropriate conversations when the world feels overwhelming

Every day, frightening headlines prompt local, national, and global fears, which can be especially scary for children. Constant exposure to alarming media can create chronic stress, which disrupts how the brain processes information.

Cheryl L. Green, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, says that this is not limited to adults. 

“The earlier in development a child is exposed to repeated trauma or frightening imagery, the greater the potential damage,” she warns. “Even a baby in a bassinet can be profoundly affected if the news is playing graphic reports of danger and disaster.”

Given how hard it is to avoid the constant stream of alarming stories coming from the TV, social media, and in day-to-day conversation, many parents wonder whether they should talk about these events with their kids or pretend nothing is happening. 

Green’s approach to discussing scary news with children varies depending on the child’s age and the family’s values.

“We should absolutely talk with children of all ages about what’s going on, but in a measured, protective way that reflects our own family’s values.”

While children should be shielded from raw news exposure, Green encourages parents to share information in a way that helps them feel secure and anchored in the values your family holds dear, whether spiritual, cultural, or simply the belief that you will face challenges together. 
 
“Whatever your family values are, you can tell your children, ‘Yes, this is happening in the world, but if we stay true to what we believe in, we will be okay,’” Green says. 

For a more detailed approach, Green outlines strategies for parents to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with their children about frightening news events.

Ages 3-6

For children ages three to six, Green says to keep explanations simple and focused on safety. 

“At this stage, kids are just beginning to communicate verbally, so they don’t need detailed descriptions of scary possibilities,” she explains.

For example, if a child asks about war, you can say something like, “Sometimes people talk about big fights between countries, but you are safe. We are here to take care of you, and whatever happens, we’ll go through it together as a family.”

Additionally, Green emphasizes the importance of shielding young children from media coverage and adult conversations that might scare them. Instead, always model the sense of calm you want your child to feel and keep their attention on your family’s love and security.

Read: The ‘big 5’ most common mental health struggles among youth today

Ages 7-9

Because children aged seven to nine are in school, they can be exposed to scary news from classmates, which makes it harder to control what they hear. They are also at an age where it’s natural for them to develop their own ideas about frightening events that can sometimes be incomplete or inaccurate.

This is a good time to develop a space for them to share what they’ve picked up from friends and to gently correct any confusion. While regular conversation is always a great method of expression, Green points drawing can be especially effective for this age group to help them process their emotions. 

“Take time to review the drawings and provide context that helps them feel secure,” she says. “Validate your child’s feelings with remarks like, ‘I feel scared and confused at times, too. But you can always ask me questions.’” 
 
However, if you notice emotions that stem from misconceptions, Green says it's okay to calmly correct them with age-appropriate information.

Ages 10-12

Tweens are in the age group that spends a lot of time on social media and has access to information through video games and social media. Their brains are starting to grasp complex facts, which can lead to countless questions. 

Green says that if your child mentions something they’ve seen, encourage them to examine it thoughtfully. 

“Use a Socratic method by asking, ‘Do you believe that? What evidence do you have? How do you know that’s true?’” Green suggests. “Help them explore different sources of knowledge to build a balanced understanding.”

At the same time, guard against hopelessness. Even if they encounter messages suggesting disaster is inevitable, avoid endorsing narratives that are purely negative and instead, steer them toward age-appropriate news sources that highlight constructive efforts and stories of people working toward peace and positive change.

“This age is an ideal time to engage in meaningful action such as writing to elected officials, organizing a fundraiser at their school, or participating in a community event,” Green says.  

Finding ways to contribute to their community empowers tweens to feel that they can make a difference.

Read: 7 signs of a happy child, according to a psychiatrist 

Ages 13-17

Teenagers are at a stage where they are capable of complex reasoning and often have sophisticated thoughts and feelings about world events. It’s important not to dismiss or minimize their concerns. 

Instead, Green encourages parents to help them explore what they are thinking and feeling by asking open-ended questions such as:

  • What are your thoughts on this? 

  • Why does it concern you? 

  • What evidence do you see that it’s true? 

“Validating their perspectives builds trust and shows respect for their growing maturity,” Green explains.

Media literacy is also especially valuable for this age group. Because teens are constantly exposed to information and misinformation, challenge them to recognize propaganda techniques. This can be done as a family by watching and discussing short news clips, assigning small research projects, or reading and analyzing articles as a family. 

The goal is to give teens the proper tools to discern credible information, especially in a scary media landscape.

Ages 18+

Once children reach adulthood, they no longer need to be shielded from the news. But that doesn’t mean they are immune to the overwhelm and anxiety that comes from constant exposure to alarming news. 

When the scary news is something happening in our community, it can feel deeply personal, even if we ourselves are not directly targeted. In these moments, adults need to acknowledge and validate their own fears rather than brushing them aside.

They should also establish healthy boundaries to keep from being consumed by the endless cycle of checking and rechecking news feeds, often called doomscrolling. 

“While national or global threats may flare up during times of heightened tension, there are often lulls when the immediate danger has passed,” Green reminds us.  
 
In those quieter periods, it’s important to focus on strengthening health, reconnecting with values, and thinking about positive actions to take. 

Scary news is inevitable, but how we handle it in our households and with our children can transform frightening situations into opportunities for family closeness, learning, and positive action. If your child is still anxious or fearful despite reassurance, a skilled professional can help work through deep anxiety in a supportive way.