Impact of Distressing Media Imagery on Children

Worldwide, many children are exposed, either directly or indirectly, to violence and traumatic images and news on a daily basis. The media publish updates, videos, and images of traumatic events, which may play a role in causing emotional and psychological distress in young people, especially in those who cannot discuss it with their family. Children are particularly fragile and vulnerable to the impact of traumatic events or their mediated representation because they lack the skills and experience in the management of difficult information. Children have different concepts of health and disaster than adults and institutions, depending mainly on their cognitive, emotional, social, psychological, and physical development. Therefore, it is important for caregivers to be trained in anticipating the proper response to children’s questions, how to best adapt it to each case, and the appropriate manner to discuss with them the origin and nature of their fears and emotions. The aim of the article is to emphasize the important role that pediatricians, and particularly family pediatricians, may play in recognizing initial symptoms of stress disorder following exposures of children to violent imagery proposed by media.