Child psychologists are urging parents to stop pretending the war is invisible. With graphic footage from the Iran conflict circulating freely on social media, children as young as eight are encountering combat imagery on their phones before parents can intervene, according to guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics [1]. As we previously reported, families have been struggling with these conversations since the conflict began.

The key advice from experts is simple: acknowledge what your children are seeing rather than denying it. "When a child comes to you having seen something disturbing, the worst response is 'you shouldn't have seen that,'" said Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a psychologist at Duke University Medical Center who specializes in childhood trauma [2]. "It tells them their experience doesn't count and that they can't come to you."

For children under ten, Gurwitch recommends brief, factual answers — "Yes, there is a war. Our leaders are working on it. You are safe." — followed by a redirect to normal activities [2]. For teenagers, who are likely consuming detailed coverage independently, she suggests sitting with them during news consumption and discussing what they're reading critically.

The AAP also recommends limiting passive exposure by turning off television news during family time and checking phone screen-time reports for news app usage [1]. Parents should watch for signs of anxiety including sleep disruption, irritability, and withdrawal from friends.

Helpline resources are available through the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

-- LUCIA VEGA, Mexico City