Tips for Parents on Media Coverage 

National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

www.NCTSN.org 

1

 

Tips for Parents on Media Coverage 

While the media (television, radio, print, and the internet) can help inform and educate you and your 

children about the recent shooting and the recovery activities, media coverage unfortunately also 

has the potential to upset and confuse. As parents, you can protect your children by helping them 

understand media coverage while limiting their exposure to distressing images. 

The impact of media coverage will be different depending upon whether you are: 

 A family who have loved ones in the affected area 

 A family who has been affected by a recent loss or trauma in the past 

 A family not directly threatened who is viewing news about the impact of this event on 

others (individuals killed, injured, or suffering) 

Understanding Media Exposure 

 

 Media coverage can produce increased fears and anxiety in children. 

 The more time children spend watching coverage of the tragic events, the more likely they 

are to have negative reactions. 

 Graphic images and news stories of chaos, injury, and death is especially upsetting to 

children. 

 Very young children may not understand that the coverage and repetition of images of the 

events is a replay. They may think the event is continuing to happen or is happening again. 

What Parents Can Do to Help 

 Limit Your Children’s Exposure to Media Coverage 

o The younger the child, the less exposure s/he should have. 

o You may choose to eliminate all exposure for very young children. 

o Play DVDs or videotapes of their favorite shows or movies instead. 

o Consider family activities away from television, radio, or internet. 

 Watch and Discuss with Children 

o Watch what they watch. 

o Discuss the news stories with them, asking about their thoughts and feelings about 

what they saw, read, or heard and correct any misunderstandings or confusion. 

o Ask older children and teens about what they have seen on the internet or what they 

have heard through social media technologies (text, Facebook, Twitter), in order to 

get a better sense of their thoughts, fears, concerns, and point-of-view. 

 Seize Opportunities for Communication 

o Use newsbreaks that interrupt family viewing or newspaper/web images as 

opportunities to open conversation. Be available to talk about children’s feelings, 

thoughts, and concerns, and reassure them of their safety and of plans to keep them 

safe. 
Tips for Parents on Media Coverage 

National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

www.NCTSN.org 

2

 Monitor Adult Conversations 

o Be careful of what you and other adults say about the recent shooting or the media 

coverage in front of the children; children often listen when adults are unaware and 

may misunderstand what they hear. 

 Let Your Children Know about Successful Community Efforts 

o You may want to share positive media images, such as reports of individuals helping 

those in need. 

o Reassure your children that many people, organizations, and governments are 

working to help the people. This will give them a sense that adults are actively taking 

steps to protect those that are currently suffering. 

 Educate Yourself 

o Learn about children’s reactions to traumatic events. For more information, see 

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (www.NCTSN.org). 

When Your Family is Part of the Story 

 Know Your Limits 

o Decide if it’s a good idea for you or your children to talk to the media. While it’s 

natural to want to tell your story, the media may not be the best place to do so. 

o Think about what you are willing and not willing to discuss. You have the right to set 

limits with reporters. 

o Ask the reporter for the purpose of the story and its content. 

 Protect Your Children 

o Make sure the reporter has had experience working with children in the past. 

o Talk it over with your children before they are interviewed. Assure them that there are 

no wrong answers. 

o Let them know they can say “no” to any question and they can stop the interview at 

any time. 

o Be present when your child is interviewed. Stop the interview if s/he becomes upset 

or distressed in any way. 

o After the interview, discuss the experience with your children. Praise them for doing a 

great job and listen carefully to any concerns they have. 

o Prepare your children that the final media story may be very short or may be edited in 

ways that do not reflect their experience.