By Kenya Godette
As 2025 unfolds, a relentless news cycle of economic uncertainty, political turmoil and natural disasters keeps the world on edge. But for many parents, one question looms larger than the headlines: “Will the kids be alright?”
In fact, parents worry their child will struggle with anxiety or depression and say parenting is harder than before due to the rise of social media and technology, according to Pew Research Center surveys.
The challenges today’s young people face are “unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate,” wrote U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy when he youth mental health a public health crisis in 2021. And the effects on their mental health have been “devastating.”
鶹ý Psychology Professor Christina Rodriguez, Ph.D., who specializes in child psychology and parenting, sat down with 鶹ý News to discuss how parents can navigate tough conversations with their children and the importance of guarding and guiding them through troubling times.
What strategies can parents use to help their children navigate scary and complex world events without causing additional anxiety?
Dr. Rodriguez: It's important to address misinformation as soon as it arises, no matter how old your child is, and avoid them being repeatedly exposed to it. Keep an eye on how your child is reacting to the news and check in with them about how they’re feeling — then listen to what they have to say. As a parent, it's key to validate their emotions and don’t hesitate to share how you feel and how you're coping with the situation. Be a role model for them. Have open, honest conversations that are appropriate for their age, and make sure they feel comfortable asking questions to clear up any confusion.
For younger children, you don’t need to go into too much detail, but offering reassurance about your efforts to keep them safe can help. Teenagers, on the other hand, are capable of understanding context and statistics better, so you can help them put things into perspective. Remind them that while tough situations happen, there are still plenty of good things happening in the world. Encouraging teens to take action and find ways to feel more in control can be empowering.
What are some key differences in how younger children and teenagers process and react to unsettling news?
Dr. Rodriguez: Children under seven often have a hard time understanding concepts like time and distance, especially when it comes to visual information. They also haven’t fully developed the ability to see things from someone else's point of view, so they might think past events are happening in the present—and that they’re happening to them personally.
Elementary-aged children (7-12) understand that news often covers past events and are starting to be able to consider other people’s perspectives. However, they may worry more about how the news impacts the people they care about.
Teenagers generally understand the news but often get their information from social media, which can make it harder for parents to know exactly what they’re seeing or whether it’s accurate. While they can think about potential future consequences — which can lead to anxiety — they also understand statistics, so parents can help them balance their emotions and put things into perspective.
What role does social media play in shaping children's anxieties, and how can parents help them engage with it in a healthy way?
Dr. Rodriguez: Children are increasingly exposed to news and upsetting information through social media, pop-up ads and online platforms. It’s important for parents to keep an eye on what their child is consuming online and have proactive conversations about online safety, as well as how to handle cyberbullying, which is becoming more tied to public comments to news.
To strike a balance, parents might want to encourage their children to spend twice as much time on offline activities as they do online. It’s also helpful to monitor what they’re watching or listening to and make sure they aren’t overwhelmed by the news. Setting limits on news consumption — like 30 minutes of news followed by something like play, exercise or art — is a good idea.
How can parents determine how much difficult news their child can handle and support them in processing it?
Dr. Rodriguez: Some children are more sensitive to difficult news than others, so parents should take their child’s unique vulnerabilities into account to gauge how much they can handle and how they might react. Understanding your child’s typical reactions to distressing situations can help you empathize and provide appropriate support. For example, children who’ve experienced trauma in the past may find it even harder to cope with distressing news, as they’ve already learned that life can be unpredictable and dangerous.
In general, kids who are already dealing with other challenges, especially those struggling with fear, sadness or anger, may find it tougher to process upsetting news. But children who have open communication with their parents may be better equipped to talk through the situation, discuss the context of the news and balance it with positive activities.
Avoiding all news altogether probably won’t help and may even make things worse.
Are there signs parents should watch for that indicate their child is struggling emotionally with what they are consuming in the media and when should they seek professional help?
Dr. Rodriguez: Parents should keep an eye out for common reactions like fear, sadness, agitation and confusion. It’s especially important to notice if your child’s usual behavior seems to worsen and doesn’t return to normal. Look for signs like new sleep problems, more nightmares, clinginess, changes in appetite, physical complaints, difficulties at school or avoiding social activities. Some kids might even start acting younger or lose skills they’ve already mastered. For example, they may start wetting the bed after being potty trained. If these changes don’t improve after having open and supportive conversations, it might be a good idea to consider speaking with a professional who specializes in working with children.