We live in the age of “WarTok.” today, common citizens are seeing war waged in real-time through first-hand, live footage on social media. To say that today’s landscape of global conflict and war is scary puts it mildly.
For young ones witnessing violent unrest and gruesome accounts across the Middle East, it’s terrifying. Our children can become paralyzed by their fear of conflict (whether from actual or culture wars) and as parents, we can become paralyzed in our own fear of guiding them toward peace.
“Research” and “concern” can quickly devolve into accepting half-truths and forming emotionally charged, factless opinions.
Children, especially today’s teens, are seeking information as engaged global citizens. What a gift to raise little people who care so deeply for the world! But without parental guidance, “research” and “concern” can quickly devolve into accepting half-truths and forming emotionally charged, factless opinions.
Teach your child the skills of critical thinking and media literacy.
And according to a recent report, 84% of teens have a dismal view of the news media, leaving those who are seeking insight into current events highly impressionable to manipulation and influence. To combat false information, teach your child the skills of critical thinking and media literacy.
Following the 1992 Aspen Media Literacy Leadership Institute, The Center for Media Literacy defines media literacy as “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms.” Today’s children are taking in media of various forms more than ever before, but do they understand the messages they’re taking in?
Identifying bias, parsing out fact from fiction, and seeking truth in media may sound like a daunting task for young ones, but building this awareness starts with a few basic questions:
- Who created this content, and why did they create it?
- Was this content created by a “civilian,” a media professional, a company, a comedian or someone else?
- What was their purpose in creating this content—was it to educate you, convince you, anger you, make you laugh or some other reason?
- Why do you think that is?
- Was this content intended to be an opinion piece or something that simply reported on facts?
- Am I trusting this content too easily?
Ask questions and research elsewhere to gain a better, more well-rounded understanding.
Christ-followers are called to use discernment, or good judgment, to understand things through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask questions and research elsewhere to gain a better, more well-rounded understanding. Investigate other voices on the topic and avoid only listening to one source in the media.
Is there another viewpoint to consider? Are you only getting part of the story? Consider how reading content from another country or another source might challenge the material provided in this piece of media. Avoid “good guy” and “bad guy” thinking and seek out ways to uncover the details of the story.
Researchers have found that heightened exposure to violence in the media, like television, movies, social media, video games and music, “can contribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares, and fear of being harmed.”
Parents can nurture tender empathy and compassion in their children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends tactics to reduce exposure to media violence, including lessening screen time, following the guidance of age-based media ratings, and encouraging media literacy. But beyond squashing exposure to violence, parents can nurture tender empathy and compassion in their children to foster godliness:
- Empathize with your children. When they see and hear empathy carried out in their own experience, they’re more likely to extend the same care to others.
- Affirm that their gifts and talents can be used for the good of others and Christ’s Kingdom. Perhaps your child never quite grew out of that argumentative toddler stage, and it turns out, he or she a brilliant negotiator and advocate. Show them examples of leaders with careers in law who stand up for those who don’t have a legal voice in times of political conflict.
- Serve the community together. As a family, find ways in your local community to spread the light of Christ to those in darkness. Serving meals at a soup kitchen, collecting donations for a pregnancy care center, or spending time with the elderly in need of companionship are all great ways to stoke the spirit of compassion in your child.
Fear that results in worry is not from (God); it is from the adversary.
As Christians, we are told over 500 times in the Bible not to fear. That is a fear warning for virtually every day of the year and then some. The Lord warns us that fear that results in worry is not from him; it is from the adversary.
He knows that fear can keep his followers from fulfilling the destiny that he has designed for us, and so he warns us in his precious word. The apostle Paul spoke about fear regularly. He warned the people of Philippi: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).
God will never leave us or forsake us—even in the midst of global conflict and war.
Yes, fear is part of the human condition, but as part of the Body of Christ, we are called to faith over fear. We are called to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will never leave us or forsake us—even in the midst of global conflict and war.
Patti Garibay is the founder and executive director emeritus of American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.AmericanHeritageGirls.org), a national Christ-centered leadership and character development program. For nearly three decades, AHG has been at the forefront of countering the culture by leading girls and women to create lives of integrity. Patti is the author of “Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light A Candle?,” a story of trust and obedience to inspire those who desire to make a Kingdom impact yet struggle with the fear of inadequacy. Patti is the host of the Raising Godly Girls (RGG) podcast and “Raising Godly Girls” one-minute radio feature, which helps to equip, affirm and strengthen girls with timely Scripture-based advice.
