00:02Experts say constant exposure to war-related content online is having a growing impact
00:07on children's mental health, with many encountering distressing updates, imagery and commentary
00:13throughout the day. Without the tools to fully understand what they're seeing, some young
00:17people are reporting increased anxiety, fear and a sense of uncertainty about the world
00:22around them.
00:22You know, we might run out of food. The gas and the electric is going to go up. You know,
00:28we've got the cost of living crisis. You know, now the oil families don't know whether they're
00:32going to be able to go on holiday or not. Some people have stopped piling with food, particularly
00:37young people with eating disorders. They panic. And I've seen it within my own work. You know,
00:43they're saying that there's going to be a food shortage. So therefore, they're panicking that
00:47they might not be able to get the food that they eat. And that's without seeing all the
00:52anxiety around what war brings to the world or to each of us individually.
00:59Children and teenagers are often more vulnerable to this kind of content because they are still
01:05developing emotionally and cognitively. Experts say they can find it difficult to separate
01:10distant global events from immediate personal risk, meaning conflicts taking place far away
01:15they can feel close, immediate and directly threatening to their own safety.
01:19Without realising it, the children pick up on what we, they feed off of us as well. So
01:25to a degree, I suppose we have to be careful what we say and how they interpret it.
01:32There are also signs parents and carers can look out for, including changes in sleep patterns,
01:37difficulty concentrating at school, increased worry or a reluctance to engage in normal daily
01:42activities. In some cases, children may repeatedly seek reassurance or ask questions about safety,
01:49reflecting a deeper sense of unease.
01:51If they send you, sometimes they can get so obsessed with it that they can send you
01:56articles saying, what do you think? Is this real? So if they constantly bombard you with stuff,
02:03then that can be another sign. But I think, I always say there's nothing more powerful than a
02:10parent's love. No one knows your child more than you do. And if you think there's something wrong
02:15or not right, then you're probably right. Social media platforms can intensify that
02:20experience. Algorithms are designed to show users more of the content they engage with,
02:26meaning a child who watches or interacts with one piece of news about conflict may quickly be shown
02:31similar material repeatedly, making it harder to switch off and increasing emotional impact over time.
02:37If a child is susceptible to fear or anxiety, then it will heighten the way that they feel.
02:45And then before they know it, if they, they'll find themselves just constantly scrolling.
02:51And then a case, of course, we've got the whole AI thing where you don't know what's real and what's
02:55not. Experts say there are practical steps families can take to help. Limiting exposure to distressing
03:02content, particularly before bedtime, can reduce anxiety, while open conversations allow children
03:08to ask questions and better understand what they are seeing in a safe and supportive environment.
03:13If you talk to your child or they do see someone or they've got someone that they can trust,
03:17you can encourage them to delete the apps. But obviously, there's a lot of peer pressure.
03:25And, you know, some of the kids that I see, you know, they go to these parties or gatherings
03:31and all they do is sit on their phones. And they say, I don't want to sit on my phone,
03:35but I have to sit on my phone because everyone else is sitting on their phone.
03:38And also it's communication. And don't be afraid to talk to your child. Don't build it up.
03:44Just tackle it. If you think something, I always say to people, if you think something's wrong,
03:49don't wait till tomorrow or the next day. Do it there and then. Because if you think something's
03:55wrong, then you're probably right. Maintaining daily routines, including school hobbies and
03:59time with friends, is also seen as important in providing stability. As debate continues about
04:05the role of social media in young people's lives, there are growing calls for a balance
04:10between access to information and stronger protections to support children's wellbeing.
04:14I think the social media platforms have a duty of care and perhaps they don't always. I mean,
04:23I see some of what some of the kids are subjected to and there's no way that even adults should
04:30be.
04:30That should be on any algorithm, let alone a child's one. I think it's very easy to say the
04:37parents should do this, the parents should do that. But I think most parents are working full time.
04:42And most parents are doing their best. Experts say the aim is not to shield children completely
04:48from the world, but to help them understand it in a safe and supported way. As concern grows about
04:54the impact of online content on young people's mental health, families are being urged to stay
04:59alert, talk openly and take small steps to manage what children are seeing day to day. With debate
05:05continuing over regulation and responsibility, attention is now turning to how best to protect
05:10children in an increasingly connected world.
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