“When children first hear about a crisis on TikTok or in the school playground, they need the adults around them to offer an explanation. They pick up fragments, but they need help to understand the bigger picture”, says Geir Christian Johannessen, a PhD research fellow at the University of Agder.
Johannessen studies how NRK’s news programme for children, Supernytt, communicates news to young viewers. The programme targets children aged 8 to 12, and its broadcasts are frequently used in schools.
Place the story it in context
The news cycle is increasingly dominated by major, demanding issues. It is therefore always relevant to consider how adults can talk with children about complex and sometimes distressing stories in a constructive manner.
“We need to help by placing the stories in context. What has happened? Why has it happened? Is this dangerous for us? Without these answers, the imagination takes over - and it often creates far more frightening images than reality,” Johannessen says.
When shielding children from such stories is no longer possible in a fully digitalised society, the task becomes one of explaining. But how? Johannessen’s years of studying the content and principles behind children’s news programmes have given him some fundamental guidelines.
He offers the following advice:
- Gain an overview of the issue
- Start with what the child already knows
- Talk about feelings
- Avoid details; speak simply and directly
- Highlight the positive aspects of the story
Below, Johannessen elaborates on what he means by each point:
Get an overview
It is often wise to wait to have the conversation until you yourself have a clear understanding of the situation. This makes it easier to place the story in context.
It may also be useful to check Supernytt, Aftenposten Junior, or other outlets in your own country that specialise in presenting news to children. See what you can learn from the choices they make.
Start with what the child already knows
It is sensible to begin by going through what the children have heard themselves. This gives you feedback on what they know, and it becomes easier to spot any misunderstandings. It is also helpful to explore any images or video clips that may have made a strong impression. The likelihood is high that something has already circulated on social media.
Explore the feelings
Ask: “What do you think about this? Does it make you feel scared?” Try to understand their emotional response. It is important to acknowledge the feelings children express. If they find something difficult, confusing, or frightening, you can reassure them that such reactions are completely normal in these situations.
Avoid details; speak simply and directly
“You do not need to go into dramatic detail about every possible aspect, but you should still provide enough for children to understand what the issue is about,” the researcher says.
When Supernytt currently covers the Marius Borg Høiby court case, the story involves topics such as rape and abuse. These are particularly challenging subjects to discuss with children. Using simple language, Supernytt answers questions like “What is rape?” The programme does not shy away from the uncomfortable, yet it avoids complicated words and expressions.
Highlight the positive
To reduce fear, it can also be helpful to point out whether the news story helps someone. What gives us hope or someone to root for? Is anything positive happening in this situation? You might, for example, emphasise that those who have experienced something painful are now being heard, and that this may give them hope for justice.
Johannessen believes that all of this, taken together, will help us raise children who are better equipped to understand the world around them. He also emphasises that the content of the conversation must be adapted to the child’s age. News programmes for children are primarily aimed at those aged 7 - 8 and upwards.