Most teens get their news from social media and similar online sources. While this means they might be informed about international issues, it can also mean that they’re overwhelmed by unsettling news from all over the world.
To help parents and carers support children’s wellbeing, experts John Carr, Parven Kaur, Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov and Allen Tsui provide insights and advice.
What are the risks or benefits of children constantly seeing international news?
There are major risks and no benefits from being inundated by anything.
In this context, one major risk is the child could easily become extremely upset by how many terrible things are happening in various places to people, and particularly other children, who are dying or being severely mutilated in wars or dying of hunger and disease. Furthermore, they might feel fear with the threat of further wars, of nuclear weapons being used, etc.
Too much exposure to international news, especially through social media, can overwhelm kids and teens. Constantly hearing about crises like wars or disasters can increase anxiety and fear.
Unfortunately, social media algorithms make this even more challenging because they often show the same type of news repeatedly, reinforcing a single perspective and making it harder for young people to see a balanced view. If a child engages with one-sided news, the algorithm keeps pushing similar content, limiting exposure to different opinions or facts. This can lead to confusion, misinformation and a distorted view of the world.
Additionally, not all news online is accurate, so kids may struggle to tell what’s real and what’s misleading. It’s important for parents to encourage critical thinking, discuss different viewpoints and help children find reliable news sources.
How can parents and carers manage conflicting information in the news?
Early in 2025, Elon Musk made a gesture that many likened to a Nazi salute while giving a speech. Various reports came out about the incident, many contradicting each other. Our experts refer to this example of conflicting information to provide advice below.
The first thing to do is teach children the importance of using only reputable news sources. Second is to teach the importance of critical thinking. On anything of interest or importance, it is always a good idea to double check with authoritative sources on the subject matter.
The controversy around Elon Musk’s hand gesture at the inauguration has caused a deep divide online. People who consume mostly right-wing news sources tend to dismiss the issue, often attributing his gesture to his autism or saying it was taken out of context. On the other hand, critics argue that the action was inappropriate and has historical significance that shouldn’t be ignored.
With both sides strongly defending their views, it can be confusing for young people to understand what actually happened, especially when social media algorithms reinforce one perspective based on what they already engage with.
To help children and teens think critically about controversial situations, parents can encourage them to look beyond emotions and consider logic. Ask them to think about who the person is, how they benefit from public attention and why different groups interpret the action in certain ways.
Show them multiple sources from different perspectives, not just what their feed presents. Help them understand the difference between personal intent and public impact—whether or not Musk meant harm, the way an action is perceived still matters. By guiding them to consider context, historical significance and respectful behavior, parents can help young people form well-rounded opinions rather than simply following what an algorithm feeds them.
In our Information Age, everybody who has access to a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile will inevitably see stories that are being shared as “news”. As adults, we can explain and acknowledge that “news” can make people of all ages feel worried, scared or sad. Schools remind children and young people that trusted adults are there to help them talk through how they are feeling.
Encourage children to use their internet search skills to fact-check information and use critical thinking skills to decide the reasons behind why someone might do or share something online.
The author, creator or distributor of a story has reasons for doing so. News websites want people to see and share their content, so headlines are written to encourage people to do this. So it is always better to stop and think before sharing or trusting something.
How can parents manage children’s anxiety about international news?
If children or young people feel overwhelmed by constant news about global events, parents can help by setting boundaries around news consumption and by teaching critical thinking. Instead of allowing endless scrolling through distressing headlines, parents can encourage scheduled news check-ins where they watch or read together and discuss what they see.
Turning off autoplay on social media videos can prevent kids from being bombarded with upsetting content. It’s also important to help them think critically—asking questions like “Who is reporting this?” or “Why is this being shown so much?” can help kids understand media bias and not take everything at face value. Showing them how different news outlets which cover the same event and explaining that dramatic stories often get more attention can help reduce anxiety and confusion.
Reassure them that they are safe and that their country has systems in place to protect them. Let them know that governments, emergency services and experts are always working to keep people safe, even during difficult times. Remind them that while bad news often dominates the media, it doesn’t mean danger is close to them or that something bad will happen to them personally.
Providing historical or geographical context can make faraway events feel less overwhelming. If kids feel helpless, finding small positive actions—like learning more about solutions, supporting charities or simply taking a break from screens—can help them feel more in control.
Prioritising offline activities like sports, hobbies or tech-free family time can also reduce stress and keep their focus on real-world connections. Most importantly, reassure them that it’s okay to take breaks from the news—staying informed doesn’t mean they have to consume everything.
Unless we make active use of strong software and systems to limit access to news, we cannot prevent children and young people from viewing or being exposed to such content.
If a child feels anxious about international news stories, helping them to better understand it can help. Help them understand that the way the “World Wide Web” works is that the most frequently viewed and shared content will appear to “trend”. As such, international news might rankabove local news stories.
How can parents support a child’s interest in news?
If a child is interested in the news, parents and carers can support them by helping them develop healthy news habits and encouraging critical thinking. Instead of letting them consume news randomly through social media, guide them toward trusted and age-appropriate sources like BBC Newsround.
Watching or reading the news together can also create opportunities for discussion, allowing parents to answer questions, provide context and correct any misunderstandings. Encourage them to look at multiple sources to understand different perspectives and explain that headlines are often designed to grab attention rather than tell the full story.
To make their interest in news beneficial, parents can encourage active engagement rather than passive consumption. Ask them what they think about certain topics, help them research different viewpoints and discuss how news affects daily life.
If they feel strongly about an issue, suggest ways they can take positive action, such as writing about it, discussing it at school or supporting a relevant cause. It’s also important to remind them that while staying informed is good, taking breaks from the news is just as important for their mental wellbeing.
Positive resources to help children and teens stay informed
John Carr, Parven Kaur and Allen Tsui recommend the following resources:
