How To Talk to Children About Gun Violence and Shootings

Deadly shootings continue to be in the news. On Wednesday morning, for instance, a mass school shooting left four dead and nine hospitalized.

Children may not understand what has happened. They may also not understand why gun violence happened again. Some children could also be unsure what they can do to stay safe.

Talking about gun violence is hard. Children react differently based on their age. To help parents, we made a guide on how to talk to children about gun violence.

Should You Discuss Gun Violence With Young Children?

Experts advise caution when talking about gun violence with children. One important factor to consider is age. Experts recommend against discussing gun violence with children under eight years old. That being said, experts suggest talking to their children about gun violence if they are at risk of hearing about it from others.

How To Discuss Gun Violence With Children?

Assure Them They Are Safe

Parents should first tell children they are safe. This gives them reassurance during uncertain times. Parents can also remind their children that they will never be taken to dangerous places. This reinforces a child's sense of security.

Don't Show Them Media Coverage

After mass shootings, there will likely be nonstop media coverage of the incident. If your child is in elementary school or younger, it is advised to avoid having them be exposed to the materials being shown by news reports. Media images of shootings can have a lasting impact on children and may cause anxiety.

Discuss Gun Safety

Last year, 18,854 people died of gun violence. This includes 1,682 children aged 0 to 17, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Teaching children gun safety can keep them safe from dangers. This includes explaining how real guns differ from toy guns. Parents should also tell children never to touch guns on their own.

Parents who have guns at home should have proper storage. Experts recommend locking guns away securely. Guns should not be left where young children can reach them.

Use Age-Appropriate Language

Experts say parents should be careful with the words they use when talking to young children about gun violence. They recommend using different words than you would with older kids. The language should fit a child's age and understanding.

Parents of kids under 12 years old should focus on discussing safety. Parents of teenagers should talk about why killing is wrong and goes against moral principles.