Political events and beliefs are often top of mind for adults and a focus in the news, particularly during election seasons. Because of this, it's natural for kids to hear about these topics and become curious. Some kids may even pick up on the stress, tension and uncertainty that elections and current events may bring.
Marjorie Brown, LPC, Behavioral Health Care Manager at Children's Health℠, shares tips for having conversations about politics and signs that the election season may be leading to some anxiety in kids.
Is it important to talk to kids about politics?
Kids are going to learn about politics somewhere. So, Brown recommends parents and caregivers be the first source of information about politics for kids, rather than social media or other children in their class.
"Kids as young as 5 years old often know who the president is, and may even repeat what their parents say about politicians," Brown says. "Kids pick up on that stuff, even if you think they are not listening."
Brown recommends that if you are going to have political coverage in your house, you need to be prepared to explain it in an age-appropriate way to your children. For example, if you're watching a presidential candidate give a speech, you can explain that this person is running for president and they're talking about what they plan to do if they become president. For a younger child, you might then explain what it means to be president.
How to have meaningful political conversations with kids
Conversations about politics will look a little different for each family, but Brown recommends two best practices.
- Start with your morals and values. This might be as simple as talking about what your family values, such as integrity, honesty or caring for others in your community.
- Check in frequently. Ask your child what they are hearing and check their comprehension and interpretation.
If you’re watching the news together, stop and ask your child: ‘What did you hear? What do you think they meant?
"If you're watching the news together, stop and ask your child: 'What did you hear? What do you think they meant?'" Brown says.
She says that younger children may only pick up bits and pieces of information. They may make sense of that information or make judgements in a way that might not be entirely correct. Brown remembers working with a child who declared that they hate the president, then ultimately revealed the reason why: because this child heard that the president wanted to ban TikTok.
"From there it became a conversation," Brown says. “You can say, 'I see where you're coming from. You really like TikTok and you don't like this person because they want to take it away. But even if TikTok were to go away, you will still be OK.'"
How to encourage kids to develop their own perspectives
As children grow up, they'll start to develop their own perspectives about politics in general, and about controversial issues. Brown recommends a few best practices as this happens:
- Do research together. If your child is curious about a candidate or issue, help your child learn media literacy skills and find credible and objective sources of information.
- Discuss values. Talk to your child about how their values relate to the issues at hand.
- Ask about their perspective. Regularly ask your child how they are feeling and thinking about any issues they bring up.
What if my child develops a perspective I don't agree with?
Sometimes this is inevitable.
"It's no secret that teenagers don't always agree with their parents," Brown says. "Kids have their own experiences that shape the person they become. And those may be different from those of their parents."
It's important to approach conversations with curiosity, rather than trying to convince your child to agree with you. Try asking open-ended questions like:
- Can you tell me more about why you prefer this person?
- Can you tell me more about why you feel this way about this issue?
- Where did you learn about this issue?
- Can we learn more about this issue together?
Coming at things from a place of wanting to understand – rather than judging or punishing – can go a long way.
"Coming at things from a place of wanting to understand – rather than judging or punishing – can go a long way," Brown says.
How can I help my child talk to peers with different viewpoints?
Once your child begins developing an opinion of their own, it is important that you help them understand that not everyone will agree with them – and that's OK. If your child encounters someone with a different perspective, Brown recommends that you:
- Encourage your child to also stay curious. Tell them to ask open-ended questions such as "Can you tell me more about why you believe that?” or “Where did you learn about that?"
- Model calm, positive conversations. If children see a parent or caregiver having a disagreement in a calm way, they may do the same. And if a child sees a trusted adult raising their voice and having a heated argument, they may also do that.
- Teach them how to disengage from conversation. Help your child know how to leave a conversation that they no longer want to be a part of or that makes them uncomfortable. This can be as simple as saying "I don't want to talk about this anymore," "I'd rather not talk about this right now, can we talk about something else?" or "I have to go, thanks for chatting."
Are politics affecting my child’s mental health?
Kids and teens can easily become stressed out and overwhelmed by politics. When kids hear their parents express uncertainty, fear and stress about elections, they pick up on that too. Brown says the following signs may indicate that politics are leading to some anxiety in kids:
- Nervous behaviors like biting their nails and fidgeting
- Consuming too much news or social media
- Constantly talking about politics
- Not sleeping well
- Getting constantly worried or stressed about things they can't control
What to do if politics are negatively affecting a child’s mental health
If your child is showing any of the symptoms above, Brown recommends acknowledging those symptoms, normalizing them and helping your child find tools to deal with them.
"You might tell your child, 'I see you've been spending a lot of time looking at political information on social media. Is that making you feel anxious? Sometimes I do that too and I have to remind myself to get off social media and do something to help me calm down. How can I help you calm down?'" Brown says.
You might also try these methods to help kids cope during political events:
- Limit screen time. During elections, the news cycle is constant, so make sure they have some time away from screens.
- Model positive coping behavior. This might mean also limiting your own screen time, exercising regularly and prioritizing activities that help you relieve stress.
- Try breathing exercises to help your child feel calmer.
- Get more help. If you're worried about signs of anxiety, contact your child’s doctor. They can make recommendations or connect you with a counselor who can help your child navigate what they are feeling.
How can I help my child feel empowered and engaged in politics?
Teenagers who are 16 or 17 — old enough to have some understanding of political issues but not yet old enough to vote — may feel passionate about certain issues, but helpless because they can't vote yet. Families who may not be citizens with the right to vote may also feel this way.
For these kids and families, Brown recommends thinking critically about other actions they can take to engage with politics. This might be volunteering at an event or helping register people to vote.
If there's an issue that your child is passionate about, think about what they can do to support that issue. If they're passionate about the environment, maybe they can organize a park cleanup in their neighborhood. This can help them feel more control and like they can make an impact even if they can't vote.
"If there's an issue that your child is passionate about, think about what they can do to support that issue," Brown says. "If they're passionate about the environment, maybe they can organize a park cleanup in their neighborhood. This can help them feel more control and like they can make an impact even if they can't vote."
Navigating stressful political seasons
Brown suggests trying to shift the mindset from a stressful season to a hopeful one.
"Consider reframing election seasons from something scary, to a chance to show up for what you believe in and something to be celebrated," Brown says.
Foster honest conversations and remind your child that their voice and actions can still make a difference, even if the results aren't what the family hoped for. Offering emotional support and modeling healthy behaviors during stressful political seasons can help children cope with anxiety and feel empowered for the future.
Find mental health support for your child
Children's Health offers one of the most comprehensive specialty programs available for children and teens who need mental health support, staffed by experts with access to the latest research and treatments for mood disorders. Learn more about our Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology services.
You can also access emotional care and support from the comfort of your home with Virtual Visit Behavioral Health. With a behavioral health care appointment, you can speak to a board-certified psychiatrist or licensed therapist using video technology. Learn more about Virtual Visit Behavioral Health.
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