Should kids watch the news?

I strongly believe that it’s important to get children interested in and talking about current events.  In fact, one of the companies I work for’s main focus is delivering the news to kids in a child friendly format.  However, I’m not convinced that I want my 3 year old watching the news.  Bear in mind the recent headlines; Earthquakes, Tsunami’s and the military action in Libya.

The reason I’m bringing this up is on several occasions I’ve come in the front room and found hubby watching the news with Madame milling around.  I don’t think she’s directly watching it.  But we all know that children of this age are little sponges and never turn off.  A prime example was on the weekend when I overheard her ‘sweeping up the bloody worms’.  I never swear around her but she must have overheard me at some point.

What I worry about is that she’s too young to process the information or situation and may find the graphic images distressing.  I don’t want to be overprotective but I don’t want to frighten her.

Do you let your kids watch the news?  If so, at what age?  How do you talk to them about it?  I would really appreciate any thoughts or advice on this one.

Author: mediocremum

A slightly older mum of one, who drinks far too much red wine and has an unhealthy obsession with her slow cooker. During the day she's an ICT Trainer, Social Media/Online Marketing consultant and does a bit of public speaking. Full Profile on Google+

13 thoughts on “Should kids watch the news?”

  1. I had a situation the other day with my 7 year old. She wasn’t directly watching the news but suddenly asked why our country was bombing another country. Found myself having to explain in child friendly terms. Her dad is in the military and her concern was that he would be going to join in. At the present time this is very unlikely.
    She now actively wants to watch the news so I have said she can watch Newsround as this is aimed at children

  2. I think once they go to school, if there are any major world events happening, they may discuss it in class. I do talk to my 5 yr old about certain aspects of the news. Fir example I let her see footage of the tsunami in Japan because you can explain it’s a natural disaster and helps her to see how lucky she is. I haven’t spoken to her about Libya because I think it’s too hard for a 5yo to comprehend. Also, we had a friend who’s wife died in the NZ earthquake leaving him with their 1&3 year old daughters. She helped me buy some gifts for the family and I spoke about it a lot with her. She didn’t get upset but said she thought it was sad. You can’t shield them from life.

    1. I’ve been traumatized by the news when I was little: my parents left the tv on and went on their business. I blocked the memories out, but they’ve started coming back to me now:I’m 24 now. I saw murders on the news (I grew up in Europe) and that made me fear the entire world: I became antisocial, introverted, and forever lost trust to other humans. Don’t let your toddlers watch news.

  3. Its funny you should bring up this subject! Recently we was watching the news, must have been a couple of weeks ago as on the news was the devastation that had been caused in Christchurch following the earthquake. Now my little one is a sensitive sole, and I had just got in from work and was watching the news, unaware that the little one had stopped playing and was watching the news.

    The next thing I know she is crying her eyes out and came leaping into my arms sobbing, once I calmed her down we talked through what had happened and why it happened (which took the best part of an hour). Following that we agreed its not a bad thing for her to watch the news but we need to make sure we are with her and are able to explain in a way that is easy to understand. Not sure if I would have felt the same if she is 3, but at 6 I think she is able to understand and process this better, but also to talk to us when she is upset or doesn’t understand a topic they’re discussing.

  4. Its funny you should bring up this subject! Recently we was watching the news, must have been a couple of weeks ago as on the news was the devastation that had been caused in Christchurch following the earthquake. Now my little one is a sensitive sole, and I had just got in from work and was watching the news, unaware that the little one had stopped playing and was watching the news.

    The next thing I know she is crying her eyes out and came leaping into my arms sobbing, once I calmed her down we talked through what had happened and why it happened (which took the best part of an hour). Following that we agreed its not a bad thing for her to watch the news but we need to make sure we are with her and are able to explain in a way that is easy to understand. Not sure if I would have felt the same if she is 3, but at 6 I think she is able to understand and process this better, but also to talk to us when she is upset or doesn’t understand a topic they’re discussing.

  5. I tend to agree that when they go to school they become more aware of the world around them. The brat is 10 (nearly 11) and has been watching the news for a long time now. We live in an Army town and he has friends whose Dads have gone off to Aghanistan so things like that were common to him from when he was in reception. The stuff with earthquakes and tsunamis they will equate to what they learn at school and althogh it’s tough to watch stuff like that I dont think it does them any harm as long as you explain it. There are some things I thought he didnt know about – ie. things like when there was a spate of prostitute killings etc and paedophiles but no, it appears he already knows about things like that from school or friends …

    so maybe 3 is too young but once she is able to process it better then there isnt any harm in it. Probably 6-7 is the age he started becoming more “news aware” for want of a better word.

  6. PD refrs to all non-CBeebies programmes as ‘Da Nooows’ and regularly asks for me to put it on, though usually as a stalling technique when The Bedtime Hour starts. She has once or twice asked questions and we have explained it in simple terms. I grew up not seeing Da Nooows because we lived overseas and as such was never really interested in it: I found newspapers dull compared to fiction. Now whenever there are questions about current affairs from the 80’s and 90’s I feel like a dunce. I’d rather she knew. I think. I may change my mind tomorrow.

  7. I also avoid letting my 5 year old watch the news. Some of it scares me! And she is particularly sensitive. I ran screaming like a banshee at Christmas time from one room to another because I realised it was on where she was (husband left it on, he’s very unaware) and it was all about the new wife murdered on honeymoon and the missing girl in Bristol. I’m thinking I’ll wait another couple of years before we sit down together and watch it so things can be explained…..

  8. I was watching the news of the earthquake and tsunami when it hit. Zack(5) was absolutely amazed by it. I explained what was happening, but not to worry because they were on the whole other side of the world to us. Also said that we should always be thankful for being safe and sound where we are, as we are very lucky compared to the people who are losing everything over there. He’s a really sensible lil guy mind. If he was more sensitive I probably wouldn’t show him it.
    Mind you, he’s been sitting with me watching my soaps since he was wee, and of course the questions crop up of “why is that person crying mummy?” (Kat and Alfie losing their baby). I told him the truth. That they were very sad because their baby had died (i know it wasn’t *their* baby, but didn’t want to confuse him!). I used that experience as a tool to help him see why I worry about him when we’re out and about or he’s wanting to jump from some insane height. “Mummy doesn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself, cause I’d be really really sad if that happened”. Seems to work!
    It all depends on the child I think!

  9. I personally try and avoid J watching it, however he also will ask for it to be turned to Cbeebies if its on the news so he isnt “interested” in it. Recently when the japan tsunami first made the news he was in the room when I found out about it, he saw images of things on fire which he was discussing for days after, but then again at the moment he has a fascination with fire and volcanoes so I wasn’t overly worried I have to say.

  10. I’ve never thought about to be honest.We always talk about the news and what’s going on in the world.I just asked my older aged 8 and 5 and they say that the earthquake’s didn’t worry them as they understood from the news reports that it couldn’t happen here but they did feel sorry for the people of Japan.My 8 yo said he thought about the people who went missing and found murdered.This worried him but only whilst the news was on.He says he understands that are nasty people around and it’s important for the police to catch them that’s why it’s mentioned a lot.3 yo always moans when I switch the news on and always goes off play in the bedroom.I never watch soaps.

  11. I actually think there should be a ‘watershed’ type headline/news report. I have often turned down the news on the radio or turned the channel over on the television because it is talking about subjects that I don’t think are appropriate for young children to hear. Yes they should know that life isn’t always a bed of roses and there are other children out there in pain and with nothing, but to hear about rape or child abduction, or that the world is going to end is very worrying for them. I think my children were quite traumatised, I know a lot of other children that were too, when Madeleine McCann sadly went missing. You couldn’t avoid the news coverage. They still worry about her now.
    I suppose the answer is to sit down, watch it together and answer any questions in an age appropriate manner.

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