Experts say adults can help children cope with the latest conflict in the Middle East by making space for conversation, validating their feelings and limiting exposure to frightening or inaccurate information. Even indirect exposure to war can spark fear and shake a child’s sense of security.
The Afternoon WireUS soldiers who died in Iran war remembered as devoted parents and reservistsTensions flare as lawmakers question Iran war’s costs, risks and strategySnooze and lose: San Antonio's Harrison Barnes ends iron man streak because of nap injuryAn Oscar race that looked like a runaway may be a close call, after allIranian strikes on Amazon data centers highlight industry's vulnerability to physical disastersPhotos of a blood-red moon and total lunar eclipseOtters enjoy a snow day in Maryland during winter stormAre expensive shampoos worth it? Here's what the experts have to sayRamadan Friday prayers at sunrise captured in this extraordinary photoAre expensive shampoos worth it? Here's what the experts have to sayNewsom threatens California counties for failing to use his new mental health courtSome people tape their mouths shut at night.
Doctors wish they wouldn'tThis smoky lentil sloppy joes packs in the plant-based protein and demands napkinsTwice cuenta su experiencia con la banda sonora de"KPop Demon Hunters" Doctors wish they wouldn'tThis smoky lentil sloppy joes packs in the plant-based protein and demands napkinsTwice cuenta su experiencia con la banda sonora de"KPop Demon Hunters"Children hold a sign protesting war against Iran during an antiwar demonstration at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. and deeply complex, which can make it difficult for children to make sense of events they see unfolding on social media, hear adults anxiously discussing or are experiencing in real life. Experts say exposure to war, even if it is indirect, can affect how kids think, feel and behave. “Sometimes adults think if they don’t talk about something that is difficult, than it doesn’t exist. But we know that’s not the reality in children’s lives,” said Rebecca Smith, the global head of child protection at Save the Children, an international aid and advocacy organization. “Ignoring or avoiding the topic of conflict can lead to children feeling lost, alone and scared. ... It is essential to have open and honest conversations with children to help them process what is happening.”Create a safe space, then listen and validate feelings Experts recommend starting with what a child might know about what is happening in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Sudan or other parts of the world before attempting to address any feelings of fear, sadness, anger or anxiety.between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran and its proxies on the other. Other kids may be more aware than their families realize and suppress their emotions. Children visiting or living in Middle Eastern countries directly impacted will have seen weapons light up the sky and may know people killed or have to leave their homes.“For some children where missiles are now visible in the skies, this might be an entirely new and terrifying experience,” Smith said. “When events like this happen, they disrupt a child and family’s sense of safety. What once felt stable and secure may suddenly feel uncertain.”To help children work through their emotions, the trusted adults in their lives also need to take care of themselves, according to experts. Guidance from thesays adults sharing their own feelings with children can be an opportunity to convey personal beliefs and values about how to treat others. The key is to not assume what children might be thinking or feeling. If children do not want to talk or are not ready, experts suggest adults remain patient and tell children they are there for them. “It is necessary to respect child’s ability to refuse communication, their ability not to talk or not to tell about something. Because they can have their own feelings, their own states, which they might not want to share,” child psychologist Nataliia Sosnovenko said, speaking in Ukrainian. Sosnovenko works with Voices of Children, a Ukrainian organization that provides psychological support and documents children’s experiences in the country during the yearslong war with Russia. Some children might share what they have seen or heard, how they feel or ask questions when given an opportunity. Experts say this is when adults should validate their feelings and address what’s happening honestly while taking their ages and maturity levels into account.The American Psychological Association recommends giving kids basic, age-appropriate information about war and conflict, and addressing any upsetting images, headlines or conversations they were exposed to without going into details that might make them unnecessarily anxious. But ultimately, parents know their children best, experts say. Families who have loved ones in the region may need to take the extra time to discuss the safety of their relatives and friends, and the difficulty of uncertainty. Families in the region themselves may need to have a plan in place for what to do if they become separated. Experts with Save the Children say to keep it simple and to practice the plan calmly. Depending on how young, some children can understand the idea that two countries are fighting. But young children living abroad may not be able to distinguish between what they see on screens and what is happening nearby. For children in the U.S., thecan seem much closer than it is if they are frequently seeing images on TV or social media, meaning they may need additional reassurance they are safe from danger. Older children are likely to understand war and its consequences, which means they might be more concerned and have more questions, the American Psychological Association says. Adults may want to consider focusing on what is within their control and giving children some agency, such as supporting humanitarian efforts, staying informed and addressing misinformation. In Lebanon, some families have sought refuge since Saturday in a brick school building. Nora Ingdal, Save the Children’s Lebanon Country Director, says children there are asking several questions about the reason for conflict and when things might return to normal. “This one daughter was clinging to her mother and looking up to her mom and asking, ‘Mom, why are they fighting? Why are they attacking us?’ The mother looks at me, but has no answer. Then she’s asking, ‘When are we gonna go home?’ Again, the mom looked at me,” Ingdal said. “I said to her, ‘It’s all right to say that you don’t know, you cannot guarantee anything, but I’m here with you.’”While some global agencies say children should be aware of what is happening in the world, experts say adults still have a responsibility to keep youngsters safe and limit unnecessary exposure. Parents are encouraged to pay attention to how exposed children are to the news. The younger the child, the less exposure they should have, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Some agencies recommend switching off the news entirely or limiting conversations about distressing events with other adults if children can hear. Others recommend using the opportunity to educate children on the importance of news, understanding where to find accurate facts and how to identify when something is not true or deceiving. Save the Children says caregivers can model responsible digital behavior, encourage kids not to spread harmful or graphic information and remind them to think twice before sharing content that is possibly inaccurate or emotionally triggering. It is important for caregivers of children living in conflict zones to remember that some kids do not know a time before war and do not have the ability to disconnect from what is happening around them, Sosnovenko said. That’s where professional help might support conversations and education. “During the war, the types of people who come to us have changed,” she said. “Thanks to the fact that the psychological culture of the population is improving, people began to understand that therapy is important. These days, help of a psychologist is needed by most people and children as well.”Pentagon releases the names of 4 killed troops and says they died in a drone strike in KuwaitHegseth says US submarine sank Iranian warship with torpedo in international waters
General News Children Iran War Domestic News Be Well Israel Foreign Aid U.S. News Health Rebecca Smith Lebanon Lifestyle Save The Children Misinformation Nora Ingdal Iran Education American Psychological Association U.S. News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Airlines cancel flights, issue travel waivers over Middle East unrestMiddle East unrest disrupts global air travel as airlines cancel flights worldwide, leaving passengers stranded at airports following joint U.S. and Israel military action against Iran.
Read more »
Some Middle East flights resume, but thousands of travelers are still stranded by warLimited flights out of the Middle East resumed on Monday. But hundreds of thousands of travelers are still stranded in the region after attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
Read more »
Bitcoin holders show 'zero panic' as BTC hits $70K amid Middle East tensionsThe most recent news about crypto industry at Cointelegraph. Latest news about bitcoin, ethereum, blockchain, mining, cryptocurrency prices and more
Read more »
Oil Prices Surge Amidst Middle East Tensions, Weather Warn Day AnnouncedOil prices spiked following U.S. strikes in Iran, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $80 per barrel. The potential for sustained disruptions to oil production and transportation through the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with weather alerts, has heightened market concerns. Additionally, a CBS 21 Weather Warn Day has been declared for a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain in the morning.
Read more »
U.S. Service Members Killed Amid Escalating Middle East ConflictFighting in the Middle East intensifies with U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iran, leading to casualties among U.S. service members. Retaliatory strikes by Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, have added to the conflict. Iran's nuclear ambitions and missile development are cited as key factors. A new governing council is set up in Iran after Khamenei's death, while talks with the U.S. remain uncertain.
Read more »
Iran's World Cup place in U.S. put in doubt by Middle East conflictIran is due to play its three group-stage games in the U.S. - two in Inglewood, California, then in Seattle - from June 15-26.
Read more »