The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

how to guide your child through Ukraine news online

  • Written by Joanne Orlando, Researcher: Digital Literacy and Digital Wellbeing, Western Sydney University
how to guide your child through Ukraine news online

Much of what tweens and teenagers know about the Russia-Ukraine conflict comes from TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram[1].

Their social media feeds contain images of tanks, bombs and propaganda[2]. Our kids could stumble across extreme footage and we’ll likely never know.

They will also have seen spam and memes about[3] “Vladdy daddy” – the nickname of Russian president Vladimir Putin – pleading with him to avert war.

Here’s how to help your child navigate social media “news” content about war, while minimising any distress.

This is what children will see

Children access news in a different way[4] to adults. They access news less. But when they do, they usually watch a short video on their phone.

Footage about disasters and political conflict has always been on the TV. However, news on social media is not like watching the 6pm nightly news.

On social media, there is no newsreader contextualising the footage, there are generally no accompanying facts, and often no-one knows the source of the video. Meanwhile, TV news attempts to fact check, including verifying the sources of videos.

As an adult, I question where the videos depicting “bombings” on TikTok, using the hashtags #russia #ukraine #invasion, come from.

Is this real footage, or doctored footage cut and pasted from a different event? Which video is propaganda and which is fact? Is this actually news or something uploaded in the hope of getting lots of views?

Children can’t always spot what’s reliable

On social media, home-made doctored footage sits snugly alongside real news footage from reputable sources. On the surface, such images share similar themes, and have a similar overall appearance. So children can often group them together as “the news”.

Spotting fake news[5] and determining what to trust online is a complex and intellectually challenging task.

Most children don’t question[6] news content they see on social media. They can confuse popularity rankings with quality; they consider the item that tops their search list the most reliable[7].

An international UNICEF survey[8] found up to 75% of children feel unable to judge the accuracy of the information they find online. This was especially true for children in the 9-11 and 12-14 year-old groups. Coincidentally, this is the same age children begin using social media.

Read more: Should parents expose children to news on terrorism?[9]

What impact will this have on them?

The basic premise for posting on social media is to get a reaction. Considering what may lie ahead of us with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, footage could be violent and disrespectful of people and their tragic circumstances.

So, it’s likely a child on social media will see[10] war footage and human suffering, while they are on the bus or in between goofy TikToks.

Teenage boy wearing cap on bus looking down at smartphone
One minute there’s war footage, the next goofy TikTok videos. Shutterstock[11]

Viewing distressing content can have both immediate and longer lasting effects on children.

In the short term[12], viewing online violence can increase the likelihood of aggressive thoughts and behaviour, or angry feelings. It can also increase the likelihood of physiological arousal, such as feeling excited or “pumped”.

Long term[13] it can lead to a desensitisation to violence, and lack of empathy for the suffering and hardship of others.

While girls and boys are equally vulnerable[14] to the impacts of online violence, there is no certainty how a child will react. Scenes of violence[15] may horrify one child and induce extreme sadness in another.

Young children (under about age seven) are particularly sensitive[16] to the effects of violent footage because they have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy. For this reason a six-year-old viewing real-life footage of a bombing with dead bodies is likely to act aggressively after viewing, mimicking what they have seen online.

If children share that content, however well-meaning, more people will be exposed to these distressing images.

Read more: Children own around 3 digital devices on average, and few can spend a day without them[17]

Young people’s news consumption habits also tend to have lasting effects[18] on the way they engage with the news throughout their life.

The habits they develop as children – their news sources and the type of information they accept as factual – impacts how they understand their world and their place in it.

Continually seeing confronting footage of war and military attacks, and other violence, online from a young, vulnerable age also creates the impression violence against another group is the norm[19] and is acceptable.

What can we do about it?

Adults’ focus should be to minimise the harm misinformation, and extreme and violent imagery can have on children. So, education is the key.

Adults can talk to children about war or conflict[20]. They can support them to stay informed, while helping them feel safe and secure.

The best way is to view some footage with them and talk openly about it. Discuss:

  • what you see

  • the context and the facts

  • who uploaded it

  • the source of the footage

  • any comments added to it.

Aim to get to the bottom of why that footage is there and whether it is reliable. Compare it to footage of the Ukraine-Russia conflict from a reliable source.

You can do this regularly with children, not just with this current crisis. You can focus on any news event or potentially questionable content a child may see online.

Read more: 3 ways to help children think critically about the news[21]

You or your child can also report distressing or misleading content. This can be directly to the social media company. Or if there is high-impact violence, you can report it to the eSafety Commissioner[22].

As parents, we cannot always be aware of disturbing footage a child may see online. Children are highly vulnerable and while they may have great technology skills, they do not have adults’ life experience and cognitive abilities to handle or analyse what they see. They need our guidance.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

References

  1. ^ TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ propaganda (fullfact.org)
  3. ^ memes about (www.buzzfeednews.com)
  4. ^ different way (www.tandfonline.com)
  5. ^ Spotting fake news (www.diva-portal.org)
  6. ^ don’t question (www.mdpi.com)
  7. ^ most reliable (www.tandfonline.com)
  8. ^ UNICEF survey (www.ictworks.org)
  9. ^ Should parents expose children to news on terrorism? (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ will see (www.washingtonpost.com)
  11. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  12. ^ In the short term (journals.sagepub.com)
  13. ^ Long term (d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net)
  14. ^ equally vulnerable (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  15. ^ Scenes of violence (d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net)
  16. ^ particularly sensitive (d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net)
  17. ^ Children own around 3 digital devices on average, and few can spend a day without them (theconversation.com)
  18. ^ lasting effects (www.cambridge.org)
  19. ^ the norm (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  20. ^ about war or conflict (lifehacker.com)
  21. ^ 3 ways to help children think critically about the news (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ eSafety Commissioner (www.esafety.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/from-vladdy-daddy-to-fake-tiktoks-how-to-guide-your-child-through-ukraine-news-online-177813

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping