Opinion | Disaster reaches children through their screens. This must stop
Summary
As Nepal recovers from the August 26 flash floods, the repeated spread of graphic images and videos online is exposing children far from the disaster to fear and distress. The piece urges parents, journalists, social media users and technology companies to limit harmful content and protect children’s mental well-being.
Key Points
- The August 26 flash floods in Bhotekoshi and Trishuli spread distressing images of death and destruction across TV, smartphones and social media.
- Repeated exposure to graphic disaster footage can cause fear, nightmares and anxiety in children, even if they were not directly affected.
- Parents are urged to talk to children about what they have seen, keep routines stable and reduce autoplay and graphic coverage.
- Journalists, creators and technology companies are asked to avoid amplifying harmful content and build stronger protections for children online.
