What do I do when news stories make them anxious for days? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child overhears distressing news about events such as wars, disasters, or violence, their mind may replay the information for days. They might ask endless questions, become more clingy, or express physical symptoms like tummy aches or difficulty sleeping. Their world, which once felt completely safe, can suddenly seem uncertain. In our media-saturated age, even brief exposure to frightening headlines can make children feel that danger is everywhere. 

Your role is to help filter this flood of information and restore your child’s sense of safety. This is achieved not by denying what is happening in the world, but by providing emotional containment and a balanced perspective. Children do not need every detail of global events; they need reassurance that the world still holds goodness, safety, and order through Allah Almighty’s will. 

Limit Exposure and Provide Context 

It is wise to turn off rolling news coverage when young children are present, as they do not yet have the emotional filters that adults use to process such information. If they do hear something, explain it gently and briefly: ‘Yes, something sad happened far away, but we are all safe here. Many grown-ups are working hard to help the people affected.’ This provides emotional closure instead of leaving their imagination to spiral. 

Clarify What They Actually Know 

Children often misinterpret the fragments of news they hear. It is helpful to ask calmly, ‘What did you hear about that story?’ or ‘What do you think it means?’ Their answers can reveal fears that are more imaginary than factual. You can then clarify any misunderstandings gently, without overwhelming them with more information. 

Validate Feelings Before Offering Facts 

Avoid dismissing their concerns with a quick, ‘Do not worry, it is fine.’ Instead, validate their emotions first by saying, ‘That sounds like a really scary thing to hear. I can understand why you would feel worried.’ Once you have acknowledged their emotion, they will be more receptive to hearing your reassurance. 

Give Reassurance Rooted in Reality 

Children need concrete and tangible evidence of their safety. You can remind them, ‘Our home is safe. We have kind people around us, and Allah is always protecting us.’ It is important to show this, not just tell them, by maintaining calm and predictable routines like bedtime stories and family mealtimes. Predictability is a powerful healer of insecurity. 

Offer a Path to Compassionate Action 

Empowerment is the antidote to a feeling of helplessness. You can suggest a small, positive deed to channel their feelings. 

• Make du’a for those who are affected. 

• Donate some toys or pocket money to a relevant charity. 

• Write a message or draw a picture of hope. 

Turning fear into an act of kindness transforms their anxiety into a sense of purpose. 

Balance the Narrative with Stories of Hope 

For every story of harm they might hear, try to show them one of help. You can watch short clips or read stories about doctors saving lives, people rebuilding their communities, or neighbours supporting each other. This teaches the important lesson that even in hardship, goodness endures. 

Spiritual Insight 

Finding Purpose Amid Turmoil 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ankaboot (29), Verse 69: 

‘ And those people that endeavour (to please) Us (Allah Almighty); so, We (Allah Almighty) shall indeed, guide them (to those pathways) that lead to Us; and indeed, Allah (Almighty) is with those who are benevolent (in their actions).‘ 

This verse reminds us that even in times of turmoil, Allah Almighty’s guidance and presence never leave us. Teaching your child that Allah is always with those who do good helps to replace a helpless fear with a sense of hopeful action. When they respond to troubling news with supplication, charity, or care for others, they move from a state of panic to one of purpose. 

The Prophetic Example of Calming Fear 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5678, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.’ 

This hadith offers profound reassurance that every hardship has a remedy, whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual. You can explain this concept to your child in simple terms: ‘When something difficult happens in the world, Allah also sends helpers, doctors, and kind people to heal and fix things.’ This perspective can transform anxiety into trust, fostering the belief that Allah’s mercy is always greater than any crisis. 

When you guide your child to pray for others while continuing their own routines calmly, you are teaching them tawakkul, which is the act of trusting in Allah Almighty’s plan without losing compassion for others. Over time, they will learn that caring deeply about the world does not mean they have to carry its fears. It means carrying faith. 

Through your steadiness, your child’s world can regain its balance: sadness is balanced by gratitude, fear is softened by trust, and empathy is guided by hope, all rooted in the belief that Allah’s mercy will always outlast the world’s noise.