The new figures from the NSPCC (Childline anxiety calls spike as children express fears over global events, 31 October) are deeply concerning, but I’m not surprised children are increasingly anxious. The digital age means the world is a much smaller place and children are passionately engaged with what goes on in it – right now with Brexit, the US election and the conflict in Syria. As the responsible adults in children’s lives, we need to be sure they are getting accurate, impartial information that doesn’t sensationalise or scaremonger. At First News, the weekly national newspaper for children, we give the background to stories and put them in context. This makes even the most frightening news stories less scary to children and helps them to decipher between the fact and the fiction. Children should not be sheltered from the news but given the support they need to properly understand what they might hear in the playground or read online. Discuss the news on a regular basis, get worries and fears out in the open and remember to talk about the good news stories as well. Together we can help children to become better informed and reduce this worrying trend.
Nicky Cox
Co-founder and editor-in-chief, First News
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