A leading children’s charity has issued advice to parents in the borough with children worried about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fresh advice on how to talk to children about the conflict has been issued by Childline.
Shirin Khan, is NSPCC’s service head for Nottingham Childline.
She said: “In recent weeks, children and young people have been bombarded with constant coverage about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine be it online, on social media, TV, radio and in newspapers. All of which have brought the subject of war to the forefront of many children’s minds for the first time in their lives.
“We’ve spoken to a number of young people recently who have told us they’re worried that the Russian invasion of Ukraine could escalate into “World War Three”, who were concerned about attacks on British countries, and the use of “nuclear weapons”.
“Childline is always here to support young people, but here are a few ideas to help your child if they’re worried about the conflict.”
- Reassure them it’s normal to feel scared, confused, or stressed that there is no control over international events.
- It’s good to get the facts from trusted sources – Newsround and First News are great outlets for children, and far more objective and trustworthy than ‘doomscrolling’ through social media.
- Remind them to take a break from the news or social media and do something relaxing or positive to get away from breaking news and notifications.
- Most importantly, let them know they can always speak to you or a trusted adult about their concerns. If they’re not ready or comfortable doing that, they can share their feelings safely and anonymously with their peers on the moderated Childline message boards.
Counsellors are also available to offer help and support around the clock on 0800 1111, and online at www.childline.org.uk
