Hello parents. In the wake of frightening public events, like the recent bomb blasts discussed in Delhi, it’s natural for us to feel anxious and uncertain. But for our children, these events can be even more confusing and terrifying. They are surrounded by snippets of adult conversations, alarming news flashes, and a general sense of fear they can’t fully process.
As a Child and Adolescent Psychologist, I know that many parents struggle with how to have this “difficult conversation.” Do we hide the truth to protect them? Do we tell them everything?
The instinct to “hush” the topic is strong, but it’s often counterproductive. When children sense something is wrong, but no one is giving them straight answers, their curiosity will lead them to find answers elsewhere. In today’s world, that often means turning to the internet or social media, where they can be exposed to misinformation, rumors, and graphic details that are far more harmful than a parent-led conversation.
Your goal is not to scare your child, but to be their single, most trusted source of information. Here are three key strategies to help you navigate this.
1. Do Not Hide the Conversation
Telling a child, “Don’t worry about these things,” or “You’re too young to understand,” only increases their curiosity. A lack of information from you will be filled by their imagination or, worse, by uncurated online content. Be the one to open the door. You can start with a simple, age-appropriate observation: “You might have heard some scary things about what happened in the city. I’m here to talk about it with you whenever you want.”
2. Validate Their Feelings, Then Reassure Their Safety
When a dangerous event happens, feeling scared, confused, or anxious is a completely normal and valid reaction. Don’t dismiss their fear. Instead, acknowledge it.
- Instead of: “There’s nothing to be scared of.”
- Try: “I understand that what you heard sounds very scary. It’s okay to feel that way.”
After validating the feeling, you must reinforce their safety. Reassure them that they are safe right now, and that the adults in their life—you, their teachers, the police—are working hard to keep everyone safe.
3. Limit Unsupervised Screen Exposure
This is one of the most critical steps. While you shouldn’t hide the topic, you must control the flow and intensity of the information. Do not let your child sit and watch the news or scroll through social media feeds unsupervised.
The repetitive, often sensationalized, 24-hour news cycle is not designed for children. It can amplify their anxiety, expose them to rumors, and make the threat feel much more immediate and personal than it is. Encourage them to come to you with their questions, not to Google.
Ultimately, your child will look to you for cues on how to feel. They are coming to you for trust and information. Our job is to be their safe harbor, providing clear facts and strong reassurance.
For more on this topic, you can watch my short video here:
- Difficult conversations made easy: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l6W03-UxV-k