65% of Kids Turn to Their Parents First When the World Feels Scary. Are You Ready?
March 12, 2026
With ongoing conflicts overseas, breaking news alerts, and social media feeds saturated with images from war, today’s youth are absorbing a world crisis in real time. For parents, this can raise difficult questions: How much should I say? How do I talk about scary and complex events? How could this be affecting their mental health?
In 2024 and 2025, Surgo's Youth Mental Health Tracker surveyed thousands of young people about how they processed political events. The world has changed dramatically since then but what youth said they needed from their parents hasn't.
Youth want their parents to show up for these conversations and avoiding them can do more harm than good.
What The Data Tells Us
79% of youth report feeling worried about U.S. politics, events overseas or both
65% cite parents or caregivers as their top source for understanding political change
60%+ of youth want their parents to talk to them about U.S. politics and world events
Youth are 1.4 x more likely to feel that their life has meaning when their parents actively listen to them
In Their Own Words
Qualitative responses from youth highlight a clear theme: they are not necessarily looking for parents to have all the answers, they simply want to feel heard and taken seriously.
“One time, I was really upset after hearing something hurtful in the news, and instead of brushing it off, she just sat with me and let me vent. She didn’t interrupt, didn’t try to argue, she just said, ‘I can see why that would hurt you,’ and asked if I wanted to talk more about it or just be left alone.”
“When conversations were easier, it was usually because my parent really listened without interrupting or immediately judging my views—they asked questions and stayed calm even if we disagreed. What made it harder was when they dismissed my opinions as ‘too young to understand’ or turned it into a lecture instead of a two-way discussion.”
What Parents Can Do: Practical Ways to Start the Conversation
Ask open-ended questions. Start with questions like, “Have you heard anything about what’s happening overseas?” or “How are people talking about this at school?”
Listen before responding. Allow youth to share their thoughts or emotions without interrupting or immediately correcting them.
Validate feelings, even if you disagree. Statements like “I can see why that would be upsetting” help youth feel understood.
Focus on understanding, not winning. The goal is not to debate, but to create space for reflection and learning together.
Circle back. One conversation is not enough, check in regularly, especially after major news events.
