Online content about the war How to help your child deal with online content about the war between Russia and Ukraine

Here’s some tips to help you manage what they’re seeing.

• Support your child to help them understand what they have seen and give them an opportunity to ask any questions they may have. 
• Switch off notifications of new content to help your child take a break.
• Make use of filters and settings that help to restrict inappropriate content. You can find out how to set these up here.
• Remind them that sometimes information online isn’t based on facts.  This can be true for details about the war too.  There is lots of information on fake news and misinformation to help understand the risks and how to spot it. 
• Explore wellbeing settings (set limits on platforms) and encourage them to do something relaxing or that makes them feel good when they feel upset by something they've seen. Think about how your child is feeling and what you can do to help them through these worrying times. Use the tips for managing wellbeing online to focus on positive things to balance the worrying news.
• Your child could hear people talking about what might happen next in Ukraine or the rest of the world. But lots of that isn’t based on facts and may confuse them. Encourage them to check the facts of what’s happening with sites you can trust, like Newsround.
• Let them know where they can get further support. The Childline website has support for children and young people that you could share with your child, to either look at independently or read together.
• To help them to not feel overwhelmed by the information about war, encourage them to follow accounts that make them feel happy.  These could be about a hobby or interest they have.
• Remind them not to share upsetting or distressing content they've come across as this could upset others.