TV programming content that leaves nothing to the imagination is often shocking and, at times, highly inappropriate for kids. Parents, pay attention to what your kids are watching!

Although news gleaned from television, radio, or the Internet often provides a positive educational experience for kids, problems can arise when the images presented are violent, or the stories touch on disturbing topics. For example, news about natural disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and their aftermath, or the recent flooding and deadly tornado outbreaks around the country, could make kids worry that something similar is going to hit their home. Typical daily  events that cause little concern, such as rain and thunderstorms, could suddenly become terrifying. Reports on natural disasters, child abductions, homicides, terrorist attacks, and school violence can teach children to view the world as a confusing, threatening, or unfriendly place.

Besides throwing a blanket over the TV, how can parents deal with these disturbing stories and images? One way is to talk to your kids about what they are watching or hearing. Open discussion will help them put frightening information into a reasonable context.

How Kids Perceive the News
Unlike movies or entertainment programs, news is real. But depending on a child’s age or maturity level, he or she may not yet understand the distinction between fact and fantasy. By the time kids reach the age of 7 or 8, however, the 24/7 news coverage they see on TV can seem all too real. For some youngsters, the vividness of a sensational news story can be internalized and transformed into something that might happen to them. A child watching a news story about a bombing on a bus or a subway might worry, “Could I be next? Could that happen to me?”

Natural disasters, or stories of other types of devastation, can be personalized in the same manner. A child in Massachusetts, who sees a house being swallowed by floods from a hurricane in Louisiana, may spend a sleepless night worrying about whether his home will be OK in a rainstorm. A child in Chicago, seeing news about an attack on the subway in London, might get scared about using public transportation around town. TV has the effect of shrinking the world and bringing it into our own living rooms. By concentrating on violent stories, TV news can promote a “mean-world” syndrome, and give kids an inaccurate view of what the world and society are actually like. Never assume that your impressionable, sweet child, who is happily sitting at the kitchen table finger painting, is paying no attention to graphic newscasts or racy reality TV. Experts warn that little minds are taking it all in, blurring the lines between the real world and scripted programming.

Talking About the News
To calm children’s fears about the news, parents should be prepared to deliver what psychologists call “calm, unequivocal, but limited information.” This means delivering the truth, but only as much of the truth as a child needs to know. The key is to be as truthful, yet as general, as you can be. There’s no need to go into more details than your child is interested in.

Although it’s true that events such as a natural disaster can’t be controlled, parents should still allow children the opportunity to share their fears. Encourage them to talk openly about what scares them. Older kids are less likely to accept explanations at face value. Their budding skepticism about the news and how it is produced and sold might mask anxieties about the stories covered. If older kids are bothered by a story, help them cope with their fears. An adult’s willingness to listen sends a powerful message.

Teens can also be encouraged to consider why a frightening or disturbing story was on the air: Was it to increase the program’s ratings because of its sensational value, or because it was truly newsworthy? This way, a scary story can be turned into a worthwhile discussion about the role and mission of the news.

Tips for Parents
Keeping an eye on kids’ TV watching habits can go a long way toward monitoring and putting in perspective the content of what they hear and see. Other tips:

• Recognize that news doesn’t need to be accompanied by disturbing pictures. Public TV programs, newspapers, or newsmagazines specifically designed for children, can be less sensational — and less upsetting — ways of getting information to them.
• Discuss current events with your child regularly. It’s important to help kids think through stories they’ve heard in the news. Ask questions: What do you think about these events? Why do you think these things happen? Questions such as these can encourage conversation about non-news topics as well.
• Put news stories in the proper context. Showing that certain events are isolated, or explaining how one event relates to another, helps kids make better sense of what they hear. Broaden the discussion from a disturbing news item to a larger conversation: Use the story of a natural disaster as an opportunity to discuss philanthropy, cooperation, and the courage exhibited by people coping with overwhelming hardship. Talk about what you can do to help.
• Watch the news with your kids to filter inappropriate or frightening stories.
• Anticipate when guidance will be necessary, and avoid shows that aren’t appropriate for your child’s age or level of development. Best advice? If you’re uncomfortable with the content of the news, turn it off.

This information was provided by KidsHealth®, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this, visit KidsHealth.org or TeensHealth.org. © 1995- 2011 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. All rights reserved.