At the moment, it is hardly possible to keep children away from the current news, and many parents and teachers struggle with finding child-appropriate and suitable answers about the war in Ukraine. Positive online content can support them in finding online news and information which is age-appropriate and free of frightening images and messages. Below you can find child-friendly news sources across a range of European countries, along with a selection of resources on how to talk to children about the war.

Austria
- The Austrian Safer Internet Centre shared some useful tips and resources (in English) to help parents and carers discuss events such as wars, catastrophes and other emergency situations with their children and young people in a helpful and child-friendly way. Have a look at the article titled ‘Learn how to correctly deal with information about wars, crises and catastrophes found online’ and on ‘How can young people deal with content related to the war in Ukraine?’.
Belgium
- Karrewiet (in Dutch) is a news bulletin from the public broadcaster VRT, which airs on television every day of the week, and is aimed at children aged 10-12. VRT also publishes the recordings on its website with Ukrainian subtitles. In addition, they have a TikTok account where they post news-related videos targeted at children. On the TikTok account, they also make videos where they respond to questions from children.
- NWS is a news account on Instagram (in Dutch) from the public broadcaster VRT, aimed at youth aged 13-19. The Instagram account informs young people about what is happening in the world, while also answering any questions they have. VRT chose Instagram because young people mainly get their news from social media, with the goal of being a reliable news source in between all the information you can find online.
- HLN (Het Laatste Nieuws) is a well-known newspaper in Belgium, linked to the television channel VTM. Additionally, they created a TikTok account (in Dutch) where they try to target their news specifically at young people. In addition to showing reliable content, they also answer questions and reassure young people when needed.
Czech Republic
- Educational programme JSNS has created some materials for teachers that can help them find information on how to talk to children and youth about the war in Ukraine and the impact it has on people. The information can be found on their portal (in Czech).
- The helpline Linka bezpečí has produced a few products (in Czech) to help parents and children deal with the war. Have a look at the leaflet with information for children, adolescents, and parents, the blogpost on ‘Fighting helplessness: How not to get lost in the war?’ and ‘Hope: A Fragile Lighthouse in the Darkness of War’, or check out the podcasts on ‘Fears and traumas of war. How can the Safety Line and the Parental Line help you?’ and ‘Children of war among us. We are ready?’.
- Locika Centre helps children who experience domestic violence. They have published an infographic (in Czech) for parents and teachers with information on how to talk to children about the war and how to encourage children to continue to take an interest in the world.
Finland
- The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare made some materials (in English) for a parents’ workshops, a lesson plan, and assignments for schools. They also created a video (in Finnish but with English subtitles) where they explain how to speak to a child and young person about frightening, confusing and distressing news, when is a good moment to avoid time online, and how adults can remain calm and create a safe environment for children. In addition, read the article (in English) aimed at parents and professionals working with children on ‘How to talk about war with children and youths’.
Germany
- Klicksafe has two information sheets (in German) available that give tips on how to support children and young people in dealing with the war. One is aimed at teachers as educators play a key role in discussing the war in schools. Equally, in addition to parents and guardians, teachers are important contact persons for adolescents. The other information sheet is aimed at parents, as children and young people, in particular, need support in dealing with war reporting.
Greece
- SaferInternet4kids created a pamphlet (in Greek) on how to talk to children and young people about the war. Minors often come into contact with harsh images and stressful situations through the internet and need support to properly filter the information they receive.
The Netherlands
- Jeugdjournaal is a daily news bulletin (in Dutch), aimed at children aged 9-12, from the broadcaster NOS. It first started more than 40 years ago and is often watched in schools and discussed during classes. In addition to the daily broadcast on television, they also have an Instagram account and are active on TikTok, with news related videos and behind the scenes looks.
- Kidsweek is a weekly newspaper for children aged 7-12. It comes out every Thursday and discusses the latest news of that week in the Netherlands and in the rest of the world. They also have an Instagram account, a Twitter account, a TikTok account and a Facebook account with news for children.
- NOS Stories covers the news from the perspectives of young people aged 13 to 18. They are a part of broadcaster NOS, which brings news multiple news bulletins each day, both on television and on the radio. However, NOS Stories is only active on YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat, and not on the television. It aims to keep young people informed of the news, explain it, and help them form an opinion on it.
Norway
- Supernytt is a news programme aimed at children aged 8-12, made by broadcaster NRK Super. The programme aims to explain what is happening in Norway and the world so that children can better understand and put things into context. The daily shows can be watched on television or online. Supernytt is also active on TikTok.
- One of Norway’s largest newspapers, Aftenposten, created content (in Norwegian) for schools and children on the war in Ukraine. Have a look at the article ‘This is what it's like in Ukraine now’, ‘War in Ukraine’ or listen to the podcast about Ukraine for children called “Forklart” (explained).
If you have questions or want more information on how to deal with war in Ukraine, you can contact your national helpline for further information, guidance, and support. Helplines provide information, advice and assistance to children, youth, and parents on how to deal with harmful content, contact, and conduct.
At the moment, it is hardly possible to keep children away from the current news, and many parents and teachers struggle with finding child-appropriate and suitable answers about the war in Ukraine. Positive online content can support them in finding online news and information which is age-appropriate and free of frightening images and messages. Below you can find child-friendly news sources across a range of European countries, along with a selection of resources on how to talk to children about the war.

Austria
- The Austrian Safer Internet Centre shared some useful tips and resources (in English) to help parents and carers discuss events such as wars, catastrophes and other emergency situations with their children and young people in a helpful and child-friendly way. Have a look at the article titled ‘Learn how to correctly deal with information about wars, crises and catastrophes found online’ and on ‘How can young people deal with content related to the war in Ukraine?’.
Belgium
- Karrewiet (in Dutch) is a news bulletin from the public broadcaster VRT, which airs on television every day of the week, and is aimed at children aged 10-12. VRT also publishes the recordings on its website with Ukrainian subtitles. In addition, they have a TikTok account where they post news-related videos targeted at children. On the TikTok account, they also make videos where they respond to questions from children.
- NWS is a news account on Instagram (in Dutch) from the public broadcaster VRT, aimed at youth aged 13-19. The Instagram account informs young people about what is happening in the world, while also answering any questions they have. VRT chose Instagram because young people mainly get their news from social media, with the goal of being a reliable news source in between all the information you can find online.
- HLN (Het Laatste Nieuws) is a well-known newspaper in Belgium, linked to the television channel VTM. Additionally, they created a TikTok account (in Dutch) where they try to target their news specifically at young people. In addition to showing reliable content, they also answer questions and reassure young people when needed.
Czech Republic
- Educational programme JSNS has created some materials for teachers that can help them find information on how to talk to children and youth about the war in Ukraine and the impact it has on people. The information can be found on their portal (in Czech).
- The helpline Linka bezpečí has produced a few products (in Czech) to help parents and children deal with the war. Have a look at the leaflet with information for children, adolescents, and parents, the blogpost on ‘Fighting helplessness: How not to get lost in the war?’ and ‘Hope: A Fragile Lighthouse in the Darkness of War’, or check out the podcasts on ‘Fears and traumas of war. How can the Safety Line and the Parental Line help you?’ and ‘Children of war among us. We are ready?’.
- Locika Centre helps children who experience domestic violence. They have published an infographic (in Czech) for parents and teachers with information on how to talk to children about the war and how to encourage children to continue to take an interest in the world.
Finland
- The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare made some materials (in English) for a parents’ workshops, a lesson plan, and assignments for schools. They also created a video (in Finnish but with English subtitles) where they explain how to speak to a child and young person about frightening, confusing and distressing news, when is a good moment to avoid time online, and how adults can remain calm and create a safe environment for children. In addition, read the article (in English) aimed at parents and professionals working with children on ‘How to talk about war with children and youths’.
Germany
- Klicksafe has two information sheets (in German) available that give tips on how to support children and young people in dealing with the war. One is aimed at teachers as educators play a key role in discussing the war in schools. Equally, in addition to parents and guardians, teachers are important contact persons for adolescents. The other information sheet is aimed at parents, as children and young people, in particular, need support in dealing with war reporting.
Greece
- SaferInternet4kids created a pamphlet (in Greek) on how to talk to children and young people about the war. Minors often come into contact with harsh images and stressful situations through the internet and need support to properly filter the information they receive.
The Netherlands
- Jeugdjournaal is a daily news bulletin (in Dutch), aimed at children aged 9-12, from the broadcaster NOS. It first started more than 40 years ago and is often watched in schools and discussed during classes. In addition to the daily broadcast on television, they also have an Instagram account and are active on TikTok, with news related videos and behind the scenes looks.
- Kidsweek is a weekly newspaper for children aged 7-12. It comes out every Thursday and discusses the latest news of that week in the Netherlands and in the rest of the world. They also have an Instagram account, a Twitter account, a TikTok account and a Facebook account with news for children.
- NOS Stories covers the news from the perspectives of young people aged 13 to 18. They are a part of broadcaster NOS, which brings news multiple news bulletins each day, both on television and on the radio. However, NOS Stories is only active on YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat, and not on the television. It aims to keep young people informed of the news, explain it, and help them form an opinion on it.
Norway
- Supernytt is a news programme aimed at children aged 8-12, made by broadcaster NRK Super. The programme aims to explain what is happening in Norway and the world so that children can better understand and put things into context. The daily shows can be watched on television or online. Supernytt is also active on TikTok.
- One of Norway’s largest newspapers, Aftenposten, created content (in Norwegian) for schools and children on the war in Ukraine. Have a look at the article ‘This is what it's like in Ukraine now’, ‘War in Ukraine’ or listen to the podcast about Ukraine for children called “Forklart” (explained).
If you have questions or want more information on how to deal with war in Ukraine, you can contact your national helpline for further information, guidance, and support. Helplines provide information, advice and assistance to children, youth, and parents on how to deal with harmful content, contact, and conduct.
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