Experts on how to talk with kids about violence in the news: ‘No topic is off limits’

The Guardian spoke with therapists, media experts and journalists about helping kids process bad news and develop healthy media habits

When rightwing commentator Charlie Kirk was killed last month, footage of his shooting spread rapidly across social media. Today, anyone with a smartphone can access gruesome videos and images – as well as troves of misinformation. Though some experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential harm of smartphones on children and teen’s mental health, the fact is most young people still have access to phones – and the often disturbing content that flows out of them.

The Guardian spoke with seven experts on how best to speak with kids about upsetting content and news, at what age to start those conversations – and what to avoid.

Anya Kamenetz, journalist and publisher of The Golden Hour newsletter

Eugene Beresin, MD, psychiatrist and executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts general hospital

Tara Conley, assistant professor of media and journalism at Kent State University

Tori Cordiano, PhD, Ohio-based licensed clinical psychologist

Jill Murphy, chief content officer of Common Sense Media

Ashley Rogers Berner, professor at Johns Hopkins University

Holly Korbey, author of Building Better Citizens