Children around the world are impacted in different ways by today’s global reality. As violence intensifies in many regions, millions of young people are victims of physical and psychological violence. Millions more witness violent events in person, at home, at school, or in their communities.
Other young people witness violence that is happening in other parts of the world through videos on social media sites or news outlets. These videos can be graphic and easily accessible, and children are often not aware of what they are about to see.
After the recent killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, video screenshots and footage of the event were shared widely and impacted young people around the world (Fiona Yassin, Huffington Post).
Witnessing violence can be a traumatic experience for a young person, whether they see the event in person or online. Exposure to violence can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, fear, panic, and other psychological distress. They may feel helpless, hopeless, and out of control.
How Does Witnessing Violence Impact Young People’s Mental Health?
Researchers have defined exposure to violence as a broad category of events, from being a victim of violence to hearing about a violent incident. Some experts talk about different levels of exposure to violence: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- Primary exposure to violence involves being a victim of violence
- Secondary exposure to violence involves seeing or hearing a violent event
- Tertiary exposure to violence involves learning about a violent death or serious harm to another person
Witnessing violence falls under the second category – secondary exposure to violence. Young people may witness violence in real life, at home, school, or in the community. They may also witness violence online through videos shared on social media or by news outlets.
Most research exploring the impact of violence on children and adolescents focuses on primary exposure to violence. However, some studies have specifically considered the impact of secondary violence on young people’s well-being. Evidence suggests that witnessing violence puts young people at a higher risk of psychological, social, academic, and physical difficulties, including:
- Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, insecure attachment relationships and difficulties concentrating in school
- Psychological distress, such as fear, anxiety, and depression
Some children and adolescents may develop post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing a violent event, online or in real-life. Post-traumatic stress disorder happens when we are unable to process a terrifying experience, causing parts of the brain and body to remain in a state of heightened alert. We may re-live emotional and visual experiences of trauma (flashbacks) when we encounter reminders of the event, known as triggers.
Young people who experience ongoing exposure to trauma may develop a different condition, known as complex PTSD. Complex PTSD includes PTSD symptoms alongside additional symptoms, such as mistrust in other people, feelings of guilt and shame, and difficulties regulating emotions.
However, not everyone develops PTSD after witnessing a very scary event, even when they experience it as traumatic. Different factors – most importantly, care and support – can protect children from developing long-term symptoms in the aftermath of a traumatic experience.
What Are the Signs that a Young Person Is Struggling to Cope With or Process Exposure to Violence?
Parents are often best placed to understand when a child is struggling. They might notice changes in sleeping or eating patterns, in socialbility or isolation.
There are also some more specific signs to look for in the aftermath of exposure to a violent event. These include:
- “Exposure-seeking” by watching the same video multiple times or searching for footage of similar incidents
- Continuing to spend a significant amount of time trying to “understand” what happened or moving into a “detective” mode
- Hypervigilance in the physical environment, searching and scanning for possible threats
- Changes in interests, behaviours, and activities, such as playing violent games or re-enacting scenes they have witnessed during play
- Intrusive images or flashbacks, nightmares, or night terrors
- Preoccupations with safety, such as checking locks on doors and cars
- Emotional irritability or heightened emotional reactions
- Developmental regressions, such as bed-wetting or sleeping in parents’ bed at night
- Fear of leaving the house or going to school
If you notice any of these signs in a child, it’s important to bring the child closer, providing care and stability. If these signs continue, it’s best to seek mental health advice from a professional.
How Can Parents Support Children Who Have Witnessed Violence?
Parents play an invaluable role in supporting children who have witnessed a violent event. When young people see violence happening elsewhere, they often become afraid that the same thing could happen closer to home, in their community or their family. In these times, young people often look to adults to understand how they are going to be protected and stay safe.
If a child asks questions about an event or video they’ve seen, it’s important to respond with clear and direct age-appropriate information about what happened, without creating fear or alarm. Using simple language and short sentences can help children process what they’re hearing.
When approaching these conversations, it’s best to:
- Act with gentleness and curiosity
- Remain emotionally available, holding and supporting a young person to help them process their experience
- Ask open questions about a child’s experience, such as “how did it make you feel?” and “what stayed with you after you saw it?”
- Take care to maintain an emotionally safe, stable, and nurturing environment at home, to counter feelings of insecurity, uncertainty, and mistrust
- Try to stick to traditional structures and routines
Social support – particularly family support – in the aftermath of a traumatic event can play an important role in preventing the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. A recent review and meta-analysis confirmed the negative association between family support and post-traumatic stress symptoms among children and adolescents.
However, even with the close support of parents, post-traumatic stress disorder can still develop. If signs of distress continue for more than a few weeks, it’s important to speak with a professional.
Parent and Care-Giver Self-Care and Support
In the aftermath of a child witnessing a traumatic event, parenting can become extremely challenging. But it’s crucial for parents to stay emotionally available and present, even if you feel overwhelmed.
This can feel particularly difficult if you are also impacted by the violent event.
In this context, self-care and collective support practices become very important. Reach out to friends, relatives, and community figures for emotional and practical support during these times. You might also want to speak with a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counsellor, for additional support.
The Wave Clinic: Specialist Mental Health Support for Young People and Families
The Wave Clinic offers specialist treatment spaces for children, adolescents, young adults, and families. We provide residential and outpatient care, founded on a trauma-focused approach that emphasises building self-confidence, trusting relationships, and a sense of community and self.
We offer multiple treatment approaches for young people who have experienced trauma, including mind-body approaches, somatic experiencing, and talk therapies. These include:
- EMDR therapy
- Prolonged exposure therapy
- Trauma-informed yoga
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
- Family therapy and parenting skills training
If you’re interested in our programs, get in touch today. We’re here to support you.
