NÄR VÄRLDEN KÄNNS OROLIG – barn behöver trygga vuxna

When something serious happens in society—such as power outages, storms, floods, explosions, accidents, or other crises—information spreads incredibly fast. If it can be difficult for us adults to process, we can imagine how it might be experienced by children.

Pictures and headlines can seem scary. At the same time, children are curious; they listen to adult conversations and pick up on more than you might think. Children have a hard time distinguishing between facts and rumors. That’s why you, as a parent, are incredibly important.

To Parents

✔️ Explain calmly and simply! Tell them what happened using words appropriate for their age. Focus on the most important points and avoid details that might cause unnecessary worry.

✔️ Acknowledge your child’s feelings! It’s okay to feel scared, worried, or confused. Children need to hear that their feelings are normal and that you’re there for them.

✔️ Answer questions—but don't give too much information! Children often ask questions that get right to the point. Answer honestly but briefly. They need reassurance, not more details.

✔️ Show that adults are in control! Explain that there are people working to resolve the situation: emergency services, the police, medical personnel, and government agencies. This makes children feel safer.

✔️ Help your child find the right information! Both adults and children come across rumors on social media. Show them that there are reliable sources—such as Sveriges Radio P4 and krisinformation.se —and that those are the ones you should trust.

✔️ Be there for them! In crisis situations, it’s more important than ever for children to have extra time, routines, and a sense of security.