Parents, your child may be experiencing a range of emotions in response to the mass violence that has broken out across the UK. Here is our advice on how to support them. ⬇ Some young people will be directly impacted, especially if violence has broken out in their local area or they belong to a community who is being targeted, like the Muslim community. Other young people will be distressed from what they have seen or heard. They may feel upset, anxious, frustrated or scared. It is important to let them know that whatever they feel is valid, and that you are there for them no matter what. Here are some things you can do to help them: 1/ Try not to shield your child completely from what is going on, since they are likely to hear about it through friends, family, TV, radio, or social media. This may feel difficult as our gut instinct is to protect at all costs, however it is important that they are aware of what’s happening and able to receive accurate, age-appropriate information from you. It’s important to talk about what is going on and spend time listening to any worries or concerns they may have. 2/ Think together about things that might help others. During distressing times, young people can find it helpful to be part of doing something good. They might want to help raise money, come together in community spaces, or reach out and support friends. Encourage them to think about the ways in which they can support their own community – though you should also think about how to do so in a way that protects their mental health and safety. 3/ Preventing or minimising exposure to distressing content. Scenes of violence across the UK are incredibly distressing and unsettling to see. Young people can sometimes find it hard to protect themselves online and may find it hard to “switch off”. They can protect themselves by: - Managing notifications, like breaking news alerts, if these are too overwhelming. - Reporting inappropriate content online. - Taking more control of their feeds by unfollowing accounts that are negatively impacting them. 4/ Make your child aware of the misinformation that is being circulated online. Harmful information about certain groups is being shared across social media and fuelling the violence that is taking place across the UK. Encourage your child to look at reputable sites and news channels to gain information on the situation, and to discuss anything that is bothering them with you. You can help your child to identify harmful content and challenge it together. 5/ Keeping your child safe. The events continue to change and unfold, with violence breaking out in new areas of the country. If your child is out and about, it is important they know what to do if things become to feel unsafe. Talk to your child about areas to avoid, e.g. locations where protests have or are likely to take place. Encourage them to keep in touch with you during the day, and plan what they can do if they need help. If they find themselves in a situation where they need urgent help, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact 999. This is especially important during the summer holiday period when your child may have more time to meet up with friends and family members.