There is no denying that children face more exposure to serious issues and adult content today than the children of previous generations. It used to be that parents would have a strong level of control over what their kids were exposed to but with the Internet, rolling news channels and a greater level of connectivity around the world, there is a fear that many youngsters are being exposed to adult content at a young age.
It is understandable that parents would prefer for their children not to be exposed to many issues and problems of the world at too early an age. Being exposed to major issues and incidents can traumatize youngsters and there is also the fact that children may become desensitized to the issues that cause so much pain and heartache in many parts of the world.
Parents can only do much to shield their children from world issues
While there are many things that parents can do to limit the number of terrifying stories their child may come across, there is only so much they can do. Internet providers allow parents to place blocks on the sites that children can access but all manner of news stories and gratuitous video content can be seen on social media platforms and on YouTube. These are places that can be highly informative for children, providing fun and entertainment, so it is not as if parents want to limit access to these sites. However, with just a few clicks, children can go from innocuous content to something that is concerning and not suitable for their age.
In an ideal world, parents wouldn’t have to discuss topics such as war, terrorist attacks, famine or natural disasters with their children, but in the modern world, these stories and incidents are seen by people of all ages. This is why many parents decide it is best to be proactive in their handling of these topics. A child may find themselves exposed to video content or images from other children at school or in the local area, so it is often best for parents to broach these topics in order to provide assurance and confidence about the likelihood of these events or occurrences impacting on a child’s life.
A lot of good takes place in the world
It is fair to say that there are many bad things taking place in the world but it is also true to say that there is a lot of good taking place. When a tragic event occurs, there will be people and organizations working hard to provide help and assistance to the people who have been affected and there will be people who work hard to ensure that the incident or event doesn’t take place again. A line that has been commonly shared on social media platforms in the wake of major incidents is “don’t look at the people who have performed bad acts, look for the people who help others.” This can be a comforting thought and it is likely to be the best way for parents to broach these topics with their children.
Any parent who is keen to show their children that a lot of good takes place around the world should get them involved with charity efforts that support people who have been affected by various issues. A simple way to encourage children to understand the plight of others is to sponsor a child of the same age in a different part of the world. Many charities provide sponsorship programs that offer insight into the work they do in supporting the everyday life of youngsters around the world. Raising money to ensure children are clothed and fed or that a local community has access to water, education and medical supplies is informative and of great assistance to many people around the world.
While many parents would prefer their children to enjoy more years of naivety and a fun-filled childhood, the nature of the modern world ensures youngsters are exposed to a lot of problems. It therefore makes sense to raise children’s awareness of world issues by highlighting good work that is being undertaken to support people who are experiencing difficult times and who need help.
