5 Tips for How to Talk to Children About School Shootings
When children hear about a school shooting or participate in an active-shooter drill, they may have questions, worries or inaccurate information. Start by asking what they already know, answer honestly without sharing graphic details, emphasize the adults and plans working to keep them safe and watch for ongoing signs of distress.
These five age-appropriate tips can help parents and caregivers talk to children about school shootings and mass violence.
1. Start the conversation
It may never seem like the right time to start a discussion about school shootings with your child. But, not talking about it can lead to feelings of worry and confusion while also opening the door to misinformation.
2. Emphasize safety
Start by asking your child what they already know about school shootings. Allow them to express their concerns and ask questions. Reassure them and be honest – don’t lie to them. Address any inaccurate concerns that they may have (e.g., school shootings happen frequently; children are not safe at school).
Don’t go into graphic details, put the emphasis on safety, and help them identify the plans in place to protect them in all types of emergencies.
3. Reiterate that it’s normal to be scared
Everyone feels afraid when they’re in danger. Fear is how our bodies alert us and prepare us for action in times of danger. Help children understand that their natural reactions are normal.
4. Remind children that adults are working to keep them safe
Remind your child that adults – teachers, leaders and first responders – are working every day to keep them safe at school. The emergency drills that they may practice in the classroom are an example of this.
Children are more likely to have the confidence to make a safe decision in an actual emergency situation when they’ve practiced. Lockdown and shooter drills should be developed and implemented by a multidisciplinary safety team and informed by a mental health professional. Make sure the complexity of the drills and how they are taught are age-appropriate.
5. Watch for ongoing fear, anxiety or signs of trauma
It’s normal for children to be a little anxious about school shootings and emergency drills. If children appear extremely fearful, angry or withdrawn during or following an exercise, seek professional help. Involve mental health professionals in the development and implementation of drills and exercises.
More Guidance for Helping Children Understand School Shootings
How do I explain a school shooting to a young child?
Use simple, age-appropriate language. Ask what the child already knows, correct misinformation, avoid graphic details and emphasize the people and plans working to keep the child safe.
Should I start the conversation if my child has not asked?
A brief, calm check-in can help uncover misinformation or worries the child has not expressed.
How should I talk about active-shooter drills?
Explain that drills help children and adults practice what to do during an emergency. Let the child’s questions guide how much additional detail to provide.
What if my child is afraid to go to school?
Listen without dismissing the concern, maintain open communication with the school and seek qualified support if the fear is severe, persistent or interfering with daily activities.
Should children watch news coverage of a school shooting?
Limit repeated exposure, particularly for younger children, and discuss what they have seen or heard.
Our schools and communities should be safe places where children can learn, play and grow without fear of gun violence. We urge policymakers and community leaders to come together and work to protect schools and end the scourge of gun violence our children face every day. Our nation must do a better job at preventing all forms of violence—including gun violence—in our schools.
These tips were developed by Save the Children’s emergency response and child protection experts, based on decades of experience supporting children in crises worldwide.
Clinically Reviewed by: Save the Children's Child Protection team | Written by: Save the Children Editorial Team| Last Reviewed: October 2026
