My child is scared about WW3. How do I talk to children about war? (UK)

The short answer

Children hear about war at school and online whether we talk about it or not, so it helps to talk. Ask what they've heard first, then answer simply and honestly, without frightening detail. BBC Newsround tells children it's normal to feel upset, that upsetting stories are in the news because they're rare, and to talk to an adult they trust. Keep routines, limit news before bed, and give them one small job in the family emergency plan so they feel useful. The NSPCC says Childline heard from children worried about world conflict and 'World War 3'. Children can call Childline free on 0800 1111; worried adults can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

Your child is not the only one

In October 2025 the NSPCC said anxiety was the most common mental health concern children brought to Childline: 12,543 counselling sessions in a year, almost a quarter of all its mental health support. It said world conflict was one of the things adding to children's worry, and one child told Childline they were panicking about "the possibility of World War 3".

So if your child comes home from school talking about WW3, that's common. It doesn't mean they've heard something you haven't.

Before you start: check your own worry

Children pick up on how we feel. If you're anxious yourself, take a breath first, or talk later. Our post on coping with worry about war is for the grown-ups.

Five things that help at any age

These come from the children's charities named below. The wording is ours.

Ask first. "What have you heard? How does it make you feel?" Then answer what they actually asked.
Say it's okay to feel upset. BBC Newsround tells children that feeling sad, worried or angry about bad things in the world is normal, and that adults feel it too.
Keep it true and simple. No graphic detail. If you don't know, say so.
Put it in proportion. Newsround reminds children that upsetting stories are in the news because they are rare.
Keep routines. The NSPCC suggests regular sleep, food and exercise to give children a sense of stability.

What to say, by age

These are suggestions, not scripts from an official source. Change the words to fit your child.

Under 7 - Keep it very short: "There's fighting in some countries far away. Lots of grown-ups are working to stop it. You're safe here with me." - Keep them away from adult news and video clips. - Watch for worry coming out in play or at bedtime, and come back to it calmly.

7 to 11 - They may have heard "WW3" in the playground. "Some people say scary things online that aren't true. The government isn't telling families to do anything different." - Use Newsround, which is made for this age, rather than adult news. - Give them one small job in your family emergency plan, like knowing where the torch is. Be Ready asks parents to teach children how and when to call 999 and to practise their address and a parent's number.

12 and over - Teenagers often know more than we think, and may have strong views. Listen. - Talk about where they get news. YoungMinds suggests checking facts, reading different views, and remembering that some content online is made to cause fear. - YoungMinds also suggests turning off news alerts, deciding when to check the news, and taking breaks. - If they want to help, YoungMinds notes that taking action, such as fundraising or volunteering, can turn helplessness into something positive.

At bedtime

Newsround's tips for children who can't sleep because of the news include reading something happy before bed, thinking about good things, and keeping something comforting nearby. If worry is causing nightmares or poor sleep, it says to tell an adult.

A simple rule: no news in the last hour before bed, for children or adults.

What to avoid

Promising that "nothing bad will ever happen". Children notice when that isn't true.
Leaving news or social media running in the background.
Talking about your worries with other adults in front of children.
Buying lots of "war" supplies in front of them. A normal 3-day kit is calm and ordinary.

When to get help

The NSPCC says that if a child's anxiety continues or gets worse, talk to a healthcare professional or counsellor. Signs to watch for: trouble sleeping, not wanting to go to school, stomach aches, or worry that takes over their day.

Childline: 0800 1111, free, for children and young people, any time.
NSPCC Helpline for worried adults: 0808 800 5000 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, on the day we checked).
Your GP or your child's school.
In an emergency, call 999.

For general advice on talking to children about any emergency, see our guide Talking to children about emergencies.

What we couldn't check

We couldn't open Childline's own war-worry pages (one returned "page not found"), so Childline is cited only through the NSPCC.
The age-group wording is ours, based on the charities' general advice. It isn't professional advice. If you're worried about your child, speak to your GP or the school.

Frequently asked questions

How do I explain war to a child?

Start by asking what they've heard and how they feel. Then give a short, true answer that fits their age, without graphic detail. Tell them it's okay to feel worried, that adults are working to keep people safe, and that they can come back with more questions any time.

My child heard at school that WW3 is starting. What do I say?

Stay calm and don't brush it off. Ask where they heard it, explain that people sometimes say scary things that aren't true, and that the government isn't telling families to do anything different. BBC Newsround tells children that upsetting stories are in the news because they are rare. YoungMinds suggests checking facts and not believing everything seen online.

Should I let my child watch the news about war?

Older children may want to know what's happening. Newsround is made for children and is a calmer choice than adult news or social media. YoungMinds suggests setting limits on how much news you read and turning off news alerts. Avoid news just before bed: Newsround suggests reading something happy before sleep.

When should I get help for my child's worry?

If worry is affecting sleep, school or eating, or it doesn't settle, the NSPCC advises talking to a healthcare professional or counsellor. Your GP or the school can help. Children can talk to Childline free on 0800 1111, any time.

Should I involve children in emergency planning?

Yes, in a small way. GOV.UK's Be Ready campaign asks parents to talk to children about what to do in an emergency, including how and when to call 999, and to practise their home address and a parent's phone number. A job, like knowing where the torch is, can help a child feel in control.

Sources

We opened each page on the date shown. Official advice changes: if a source says something different now, follow the source.

BBC Newsround: Advice if you're upset by the news (published 29 August 2022) (read 1 November 2026)
YoungMinds: Worries about the news and the world (read 1 November 2026)
NSPCC: Anxiety is the most common mental health concern for children reaching out to Childline (10 October 2025) (read 1 November 2026)
NSPCC: Support and advice for families (Helpline and Childline numbers) (read 1 November 2026)
GOV.UK Be Ready: be ready for emergencies (checklist) (read 1 November 2026)

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We're an independent UK site, not the government. We check guides against official sources and link to them. In an emergency call 999.

Talking to children about war and WW3 headlines