How could hearing about tragic events in the news affect my child?

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)

Many children don’t have the emotional capacity to process traumatic information. Dr. Sudeepta Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center, advises, “In the days and weeks after the tragedy, you may notice children saying they have difficulty sleeping and separating from their parents. They may become more withdrawn, act out more frequently -- especially if they are constantly exposed to the events on the television. To prevent this, parents should limit what children are watching on TV. They may not be able to emotionally process the tragic information. Research has shown a correlation between the number of hours of watching TV and the severity of stress symptoms.”
This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.