Discussing the News with My Child

In our increasingly connected world, it’s nearly impossible to shield our children entirely from the news — and honestly, I’m not sure we should. From headlines flashing on phones to news snippets on the radio during school runs, children are naturally exposed to current events. Recently, I’ve found myself having more frequent conversations with my child about the news, and it’s been both challenging and rewarding.

Creating a Safe Space

The first thing I try to do is create a safe, open environment where my child feels comfortable asking questions. Children often pick up on far more than we realise, even if they don’t fully understand it. When something troubling comes up — whether it’s a natural disaster, political unrest, or a celebrity scandal — I want my child to feel they can talk to me about it, rather than bottle up confusion or anxiety.

Age-Appropriate Honesty

One of the biggest challenges is striking the right balance between honesty and age-appropriateness. I aim to be truthful, but I try not to overload my child with information they’re not ready to process. For example, when discussing topics like war or violence, I focus on the facts without graphic detail and emphasise the efforts people are making to help others.

Encouraging Critical Thinking

I also see these discussions as an opportunity to encourage critical thinking. We talk about where the information comes from, what bias might be involved, and why it’s important to ask questions. It’s never too early to start building media literacy — even something as simple as explaining the difference between a news article and an opinion piece can go a long way.

Emotional Check-Ins

News can be overwhelming, even for adults. So I regularly check in on how my child is feeling. Sometimes they need reassurance, a distraction, or just a cuddle. Other times, they surprise me with how insightful or compassionate their reactions are. I’ve learnt not to dismiss their feelings, no matter how small the issue might seem from an adult perspective.

Finding Positive Stories

It’s easy to get caught up in doom and gloom, so I make a conscious effort to balance our conversations with positive news. Stories about communities coming together, environmental wins, or acts of kindness remind both of us that the world is not all bad.

Talking about the news with my child isn’t always easy, but it’s become an important part of how we connect and learn together. In many ways, it helps them better understand the world — and helps me see it through fresh eyes.

Have you had similar conversations with your child? I’d love to hear how you approach it.