Parenting expert says young children could be impacted by social media onslaught

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Disturbing scenes of what happened in Washinton, D.C. and the uproar on social media this week may be impacting your kids.

Parenting expert Alyson Schafer says younger children may not be able to comprehend what’s going on, but it can still affect them.

“My best advice is to do your best to (limit) exposure. Turn off that television, close that laptop, so that they’re not exposed to those violent images that can be scary for young kids.”

If they have been exposed by older siblings, she suggests addressing the issue by reassuring them that they’re safe, asking how they feel about what they saw and asking what will make them feel better.

“We really just want to check in with them. What did you see? How do you feel? And really what would make you feel better?” Schafer said.

“(It’s) more about returning them to a feeling of safety.”