Updated: October 2025
Children today are growing up in a world where difficult news reaches them faster than ever before. Whether it's stories about children fleeing war, climate disasters, or inequality, young people are asking questions and forming their understanding of the world around them.
As parents and caregivers, you want to respond thoughtfully to your child's curiosity while protecting their wellbeing. But knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
We've gathered evidence-based guidance from child psychologists, education experts, and parents to help you navigate these conversations with confidence. Because raising compassionate, informed global citizens begins at home.
Why These Conversations Matter
Research shows that avoiding difficult topics doesn't protect children—it can actually increase anxiety. According to guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, children benefit when trusted adults help them process challenging information in age-appropriate ways.
When you create space for honest conversations, you're teaching your child that they can come to you with their worries. You're also helping them develop empathy and critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The Foundation: Five Principles for All Difficult Conversations
Before diving into specific topics, these core principles apply across all challenging discussions with children.
Start where they are. Let your child's questions guide the conversation rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for. A seven-year-old's concerns will differ significantly from a teenager's, and that's completely normal.
Create a safe space for feelings. Reassure your child that their emotions—whether confusion, sadness, or anger—are valid. According to NHS guidance on supporting children's mental health, helping children name and express their feelings reduces the risk of trauma.
Be honest within limits. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid lying or making promises you can't keep. If you don't know something, it's perfectly acceptable to say so and offer to find out together.
Focus on helpers and hope. Even when discussing difficult realities, highlight the people and organisations working to make things better. This isn't about glossing over problems—it's about showing children that positive change is possible.
Check in regularly. One conversation won't address everything. Make it clear you're always available for follow-up questions as their understanding develops.
Bringing up kids
Learn about our vital work to support caregivers in talking to children about hard things & having difficult conversations with kids, with expert advice.
How to talk to children about Refugees and displacement?
When news features children who've lost their homes or been separated from families, it naturally raises questions and concerns.
Do your research first. Before talking with your child, familiarise yourself with basic facts. Understanding why families become refugees—war, persecution, natural disasters—helps you explain with confidence. Save the Children works with displaced families in over 100 countries, and we've learned that children respond best to straightforward, compassionate explanations.
Listen more than you speak. Ask what they've already heard and what specifically worries them. Their concerns might surprise you. Perhaps they're wondering if it could happen to your family, or they're confused about where refugees go.
Provide reassurance and context. If your child is worried about their own safety, acknowledge their feelings and explain the specific circumstances that differ from your situation. Help them understand that refugee families want the same things you do—safety, education, and a place to call home.
Connect to shared values. Talk about kindness, fairness, and helping others in need. You might say, "Remember when we helped our neighbour when they were having a hard time? Countries can help each other in the same way."
Explore stories together. Our Wonderbooks collection includes age-appropriate stories about refugee children's experiences. We also created an animated film with Aardman Animation called "Home," which tells the story of a small orange circle feeling far from home in a world where everything looks different. These resources, inspired by real children we've supported from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria, open gentle conversations about belonging and resilience.
We worked with Aardman Animation to create a short animated film that helps explain the experiences of refugees. Inspired by the real-life stories of children we’ve worked with from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria, 'Home' tells the story of a small orange circle who feels far from home in a world where everything is purple and triangular.
How to talk to children about Gender Equality and fairness?
By age two, children begin noticing gender differences. The messages they absorb now shape their beliefs for years to come, which is why phrases like "boys will be boys" carry more weight than we might realise.
Model the behaviour you want to see. Children learn more from what you do than what you say. When they see all family members sharing household tasks, or hear you challenge stereotypes in everyday conversation, they internalise those values.
Mix it up deliberately. Offer diverse books, toys, and activities without gendered restrictions. Encourage your daughter's interest in science just as enthusiastically as your son's love of art. Point out examples of people doing jobs that break stereotypes—male nurses, female engineers, stay-at-home dads.
Encourage diversity in friendships. Support cross-gender friendships and talk about qualities you value in people regardless of gender—kindness, curiosity, courage, creativity.
Use straightforward language. When your child makes assumptions based on gender, gently question them. "Why do you think only boys can be builders?" opens discussion without shame. Explain that everyone deserves equal respect and opportunities, no matter their gender.
Save the Children's programmes around the world work to ensure girls have equal access to education and opportunities. When you discuss these issues at home, you're reinforcing values that create a fairer world.
How to talk to children about being a global citizen and understanding poverty and inequality?
Teaching children about inequality requires balance—you want them to develop empathy without feeling overwhelmed or guilty.
Challenge assumptions together. Unconscious bias forms early, often based on limited exposure. When your child encounters different family situations, neighbourhoods, or lifestyles, use it as a learning moment. Ask questions like "What do you think that person's day might be like?" to build perspective-taking skills.
Emphasise shared humanity. Help your child understand that everyone deserves kindness and respect, regardless of their circumstances. The family experiencing poverty has the same feelings, dreams, and dignity as anyone else.
Make it concrete and age-appropriate. Rather than abstract discussions about inequality, focus on specific examples your child can grasp. "Some children don't have enough food to eat every day" is clearer than "global food insecurity."
Show how change happens. Talk about people and organisations working to address poverty and inequality. Share how Save the Children provides education, healthcare, and emergency support to children worldwide. When appropriate for their age, involve your child in charitable activities—donating outgrown clothes, participating in fundraisers, or volunteering as a family.
Addressing Scary News and World Events
When major news events occur—natural disasters, conflicts, or tragedies—children often hear fragments of information that can be frightening without context.
Limit news exposure thoughtfully. Young children especially shouldn't have unrestricted access to news coverage. Repeated images of distressing events can make them seem ongoing or closer than they are. Curate what your child sees and be present to discuss it.
Provide factual reassurance. If your child learns about an event that worries them, share age-appropriate facts that put it in perspective. Explain geographical distance if relevant, or the specific circumstances that make your situation different.
Validate their feelings. It's normal to feel sad or worried when hearing about people in difficulty. These emotions show empathy and compassion. Help your child understand that feeling upset is different from being in danger themselves.
Focus on resilience and response. After explaining what happened, shift to what's being done to help. Emergency services, humanitarian organisations like Save the Children, and communities coming together all demonstrate that people respond to crises with care and action.
Practical Tips by Age Group
Ages 2-5: Keep explanations very simple and brief. Focus on immediate surroundings and concrete concepts. Answer only what they ask, and expect to repeat conversations as they process new information.
Ages 6-11: Provide more detail while still protecting them from graphic content. This age group benefits from books, stories, and creative activities to explore topics. Encourage questions and check for understanding.
Ages 12+: Teenagers can engage with more complex discussions about root causes and solutions. Encourage critical thinking about news sources and media literacy. Respect their growing independence while staying available for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I've said too much?
Watch your child's reactions. If they seem confused, frightened, or checked out, you may need to simplify or pause the conversation. It's fine to say, "Let's talk more about this another time when you're ready."
What if my child doesn't seem interested in these topics?
That's normal and healthy. Not every child will engage with world events at the same age or in the same way. Follow their lead and keep communication lines open without forcing conversations.
Should I hide my own emotions during these discussions?
Being authentic is important, but balance honesty with reassurance. It's acceptable to say you feel sad about something, while also showing you're coping and in control. Avoid overwhelming your child with adult anxiety.
How can I explain why these situations exist without making the world seem hopeless?
Focus on complexity rather than hopelessness. Explain that challenges often have long histories and many causes, but people are working towards solutions. Highlight progress and examples of positive change.
What if I don't know enough about a topic to discuss it?
Use it as a learning opportunity. "That's a great question—let's find out together" models curiosity and shows your child that adults don't have all the answers immediately either.
Bringing Hope Into Every Conversation
Here's what we've learned from decades of working with children worldwide: where there are young people, there is always hope. Children are naturally resilient, compassionate, and creative. When you equip them with age-appropriate information and emotional support, you're not burdening them—you're empowering them.
These conversations might feel challenging at first, but they're also opportunities. You're teaching your child to engage thoughtfully with the world, to care about others, and to believe that they can contribute to positive change.
At Save the Children, we see daily evidence that collective action transforms lives. The supporters who fund our work, the communities we partner with, and the children themselves all demonstrate that progress is possible when people come together with compassion and determination.
Your conversations at home are part of that same movement—raising a generation that understands, empathizes, and acts.
Resources for Further Support
Save the Children Resources:
Our parental support hub - a space to find resources and guides about a variety of topics to help you navigate life with your little ones
External Expert Guidance:
If you're concerned about your child's emotional wellbeing following difficult conversations or exposure to distressing events, speak with their school or contact your GP for guidance.
