The Impact of Political News on Young People

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Political news is everywhere: social media, television, radio, conversations in the car and in hallways at school—and just like adults, children and teens can’t escape it. Young people describe the news as not relevant to them, biased, untruthful, negative, and scary. Some may experience emotionally-charged political news as particularly anxiety-provoking. Parents, teachers, coaches, providers, and other adults can help young people manage their emotional reactions to the news.

 

The Golden Rules of talking with young people about politics:

 

1. Affiliate with values, not political parties. Clarify what values are most important to your family, your classroom, to the team. Conversation starter: What do respect, compassion, and listening look like in how you interact with each other?
   
    
2. Develop critical thinking, not judgmental bias. Our emotions influence how we see things and what we remember.  As a consequence, our views can be skewed.  Conversation starter: How do your emotions, your friends, and media influence what you believe to be true?
   
    
3. Encourage honest self-appraisal. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t always see the full picture. Conversation starter: Share a time with the child or youth when you changed your opinion and what influenced that.
   
    
4. Teach young people how to calm emotions. Life offers encounters with difficult situations. Help the child or youth take a step back and reflect from a place of clear thinking. Websites like Understood.org and North Shore Pediatric Therapy describe a variety of self-soothing techniques and calming strategies to help children and teens come to terms with and understand their emotions.
   
    
5. Regulate your own emotions. When you are upset, your child/youth will feel it. Activity idea: Direct your attention to what is present in the moment around you. Make time for activities that regenerate you, such as creative crafts or walks in nature.
   
    
6. Provide exposure to positive and hopeful news. Inform yourself about the positive things that happened in a day and share with your child. Two sources for positive news include Good News Network and Positive News.

If a young person seems excessively reactive to or anxious about political news, or there are noticeable changes in mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, or school functioning, counseling may help. Consultation with a primary care provider or a mental health professional can bring resources to a young person during times of high stress.

 

Sally Caldwell, M.Ed, LPC-S is a child and adolescent therapist. She has worked with children and their parents in various settings, including schools and community services settings. Sally has been training and publishing for educators and parents for over 20 years.

 

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Updated on 5.25.22