By: Lisa Umphrey, MD, FAAP
Generations have shared the belief that armed conflict is
not healthy for children and other living things. But in a world where armed conflict fills our screens with images of loss and grief, parents can't help but worry about the impact on their own children—and kids across the globe.
In the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement "
The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children and Adolescents," we call for strong action to protect children caught in conflict settings. This includes ensuring access to medical and mental health care, keeping education and other essential services intact and supporting families with compassionate,
grief‑ and
trauma‑informed care.
The AAP also identifies the need for research on how armed conflict impacts the health and well‑being of children in the United States. We recognize that even violence happening far away can affect kids' sense of safety, emotional health and daily life.
Here's what parents need to know about how armed conflict can shape childhood health—and practical ways families can help support and protect growing kids.
4 ways armed conflict hurts children
Kids living in conflict zones—or in places where armed violence breaks out—must cope with 4 serious risks to their health.
1. Physical threats. Kids in conflict zones may suffer injuries that get worse when medical care is out of reach. Food insecurity and hunger, poor hygiene and sanitation, and the ongoing threat of harm can affect growing bodies, too.
2. Mental threats. Kids who experience armed fighting suffer mental trauma, which can trigger
grief,
anxiety,
depression and make physical symptoms worse.
3. Loss of safe spaces for play and learning. When schools, homes and community centers are destroyed, children lose the nurturing experience of
playing, learning and exploring in safe spaces.
4. Shattered families. Kids suffer when the grownups who once kept them safe are killed, jailed or deported. They may endure hardship on the road and in refugee camps, where food, clean water and medical care are scarce. In extreme cases, kids themselves may be jailed, confined or separated from their families.
What happens in conflict zones affects our kids, too
Globally, over 520 million children and adolescents—1 in 5—live in armed conflict zones. Even if your family doesn't live anywhere near an active conflict, your child may feel stress and anxiety from what they see on news and social media. Some will ask, "Could this happen to us?" Others will wonder what comes next for the kids trapped in conflict settings, a question no one can fully answer.
Refugee and immigrant children attend U.S. schools, which means your child may share a classroom or lunch table with kids who have suffered exposure to armed conflicts and trauma. Helping them understand the experiences of others can foster empathy and personal strength.
While it's tempting to tell kids that armed violence is something that happens far away, the truth is that armed conflict affects all of us. Conflicts in other countries can hurt the U.S. economy, restrict the flow of food supplies and prescription drugs to the stores we shop in, halt medical research and much more.
At the same time, conflicts in other countries can still touch families here—through news and social media, through classmates who have lived through conflict or displacement, and through ripple effects on daily life.
In addition, armed violence doesn't only happen overseas. Some children in the United States also live with armed
violence in their own neighborhoods, including violence linked to gangs and other armed groups. That can affect a child's sense of safety, their stress level and how they feel at school and at home.
How to know if your child is worried about armed conflict
Kids and teens often react strongly to images, stories or rumors about violent acts. What you see in your own child will depend on their age, overall health and personality. You might notice:
- Behavioral changes. Your child might have
trouble sleeping, get into more fights than usual or seek out more "alone time."
- Emotional changes. You might notice signs of fear, sadness, nervous energy or clinginess that aren't typical of your child.
- Physical changes. Kids may have headaches, upset stomachs or even body aches triggered by stress.
How to comfort and support your child
These suggestions can help you reassure your own child or even care for a young family member, neighbor, school mate or playgroup friend.
- Talk openly and honestly. Ask kids what they've seen or heard about that worries them. Invite them to share their thoughts, emphasizing that it's okay to be afraid or anxious about armed conflicts. Listen closely and tune your own words to the child's age and level of understanding.
Create feelings of safety. Double down on daily routines that keep kids nourished, well-rested and emotionally supported.
- Limit screen time. Know what your child watches by co-watching (or listening). It is also helpful to limit
exposure to news about armed conflict, especially graphic coverage. If you don't have one yet, create a
Family Media Plan to shield kids from harmful content.
- Encourage creative play. Making art or music, writing in a journal or attending a local play or concert can remind kids that the world still has beauty and love to offer them.
- Get professional help. If your child has serious symptoms, talk with their doctor. Pediatricians can guide families to crucial resources, including health specialists who treat anxiety, depression and other concerns.
Modeling a commitment to kids everywhere
Children benefit from the positive feelings that community service can create. You might consider supporting:
Reputable global organizations delivering food or medical care in conflict zones
Resettlement groups that help refugees and asylum seekers rebuild their lives
Advocates seeking new policies that protect kids around the world
Teaching
kindness and empathy at home can help, too. This might mean serving meals at a local soup kitchen, growing vegetables for a community pantry or supporting a nearby shelter for people without homes. Simple acts like these show kids that, when things get tough, people can help each other recover just by sharing what they have.
Remember
Even though parents can't stop armed violence, they can help children feel safe, supported and strong.
Small actions make a big difference for kids who feel threatened or stressed by world conflict. Simply listening and affirming your child's pain will let them know their feelings are understandable. This opens the door for next steps that can help them find their way.
Your pediatrician or family doctor can help whenever worries about armed conflict threaten your child's health. If you're concerned, get in touch today.
More resources
About Dr. Umphrey
Lisa Umphrey, MD, FAAP, is lead author of the AAP policy statement, "The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children and Adolescents."