USC Health Now

Q: Should I be worried about exposing my young children to television, Internet and newspaper images of tragic events, such as the shootings at Virginia Tech?

A: Unfortunately, with today's technologies, it is almost impossible to keep children guarded from scary images. However, parents can help children understand and cope with what they are seeing by keeping an open, honest dialogue about the events, says Jeffrey Sugar, M.D., visiting assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "Watching TV or reading the newspaper together gives both parent and child a chance to discuss the situation and address any concerns, including safety," says Sugar. "If possible, limit what a child watches to prevent unnecessary further exposure to the trauma." He stresses that it's also important to keep an eye out for signs of stress in children after a traumatic event, including headaches, tummy-aches, nightmares or trouble sleeping. "Children may associate images they see on television with their daily activities such as going to school or watching their parents go to work," says Sugar. "They might feel an increased sense of anxiety or fear, which are common after tragic events like the shootings at Virginia Tech. If a child is expressing fear, it's important for parents to reassure their child that they are as safe as they were before the tragic event."