Violent and shocking images impact children differently

Turn on the news and you will see shocking and violent images. Glance at the front page of the newspaper to view the aftermath of the latest catastrophe, natural or man-made.

 After a while, this constant barrage of shocking images tends to induce numbness in adults.

 The same cannot be said for children.

 “As a culture, we have become incredibly desensitised to violence. We're used to one catastrophe after another”, says Dr Susan Villani, medical director of school programmes at the US Kennedy Krieger Institute..

 “But this [violent image] may be the very first for a child. I worry that there is no break in sight for our children because adults themselves have become so comfortable with violence”, she says.

Age-by-age guidelines

The onslaught of violent images in the media leaves parents wondering how much they should allow their children to see. What impact does it have? How should they respond?

 The answers, say experts, depend largely on the child's age.

The youngest children (up to age six)

Very young children, up to three years of age, are too young to understand the meaning of violent and other shocking images, explains Lynn Hagan, a registered clinical social worker and expert on how violence affects children. However, that does not mean that they are not frightened by them.

Therefore, it is important for parents to offer reassurance to young children who see or hear about violent or disturbing events. “They need to be told that they're being taken care of by their parents”, says Dr Michael Salamon, a clinical psychologist.

 Plus, it is never too early to send messages of self-reliance, says Dr Salamon. “Tell them, ‘We'll teach you how to take care of yourself’”, he says.

 Ideally, say the experts, it is best to avoid exposing very young children to violent images altogether.

 “For children under six, it's realistic to shield them a fair amount”, says Dr Nadine Kaslow.

 That includes what they overhear from their parents' conversations, and she advises parents to be careful about what they discuss when children are listening.

 In spite of parents' best efforts, it is likely that even the youngest eyes will be exposed to violent images. When that happens, parents should exercise some damage control.

 Hagan offers the following suggestions: “Maintain your usual routine; keep things as normal as possible for your child. And reiterate that you're not going to abandon them”.