Abu Dhabi: Bloody scenes across the media showing dead and injured Palestinians have raised questions, anxiety, curiosity and anger amongst children and parents are allowing them to know many of the realities of the conflict.
Palestinian child Mohammad Sabha has been having nightmares, each morning asking his parents if the fighting in Gaza has ended. At only 7, Mohammad was anxious to speak to this journalist about his feelings.
"I once watched a bunch of kids throwing stones at an armed Israeli soldier on the television, the soldier was unable to react. I felt scared and wondered why this violence has to take place among such young innocent children. But at the end I feel Palestinians will get their rights back," said Mohammad.
His father Ahmad Sabha, 34 and mother Nessrin Al Hajj, 29 encourage their two boys to watch the news with them, but switch off the television once things become too violent.
"We try to answer their questions and keep them well informed. We've explained why the killings are going on and how important education is for them so that one day they can contribute in making a difference for the Palestinians," said Mohammad's father.
Both children are saving up and donating money. "My 6-year-old donated a blanket he had just bought for his own bed," said Mohammad's mother.
Emirati school teacher Fatima Saif, 23 has two brothers Zayed, 10 and Omar, 12.
Omar received an email with visuals of a Palestinian mother dying on her children's laps after being shot.
Terrified
"He was terrified to see those pictures and immediately spoke about it to the rest of the family. My mother calmed him down and explained that he should try to help instead of getting scared. He immediately reacted by wearing a black and white Palestinian scarf..." said Fatima.
Ali Al Dalati, a Syrian PR specialist, is bombarded with questions about what's going on in Palestine from his niece Aliya, 7.
"Aliya is exposed to the scenes in Gaza since my sister and husband constantly have the news channel on. At first she was shocked, and then I explained things to her. Her questions were focused on why so many innocent children should end up dead; my answer was that they are victims who will end up in heaven with the rest of the children."
Would you allow your children to watch media coverage of a war? What is your view on the debate? How can parents balance the tasks of shielding children from shocking images and keeping them informed of happenings around the world?
Your comments
I would not allow my children to watch media coverage of war or any kind of violence, instead I would definitely keep them informed about the incidents. Watching killing and violence affects children and sometimes may create fear in their minds. Such scenes give even us adults nightmares, let alone the children. Parents have to balance out the issues by informing their children while avoiding exposure to violence shown on the media.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 05, 2009, 14:47
I would absolutely not allow children to watch media coverage of war. They are unable to understand and it will only make them nervous.
M. Sorensen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 05, 2009, 12:03
When you are talking about children, especially those below the age of 10, parents are totally responsible for what information their children are provided with. Children are at a very impressionable period of their lives and keeping in mind that we require peace in these times, we have to raise our kids in the right way, so that they do not have biased views at a tender age. Parents should shield their children from the shocking images shown on the television. We can inform them the happenings in the world when they are of the age to understand right from wrong, and think for themselves.
Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 05, 2009, 10:28
I believe that only the truth about those responsible for the scenes these children are watching will answer their questions. These wars, conflicts and acts of criminal behaviour are carried by adults. Children should be told that they are not responsible for what adults are doing, but that when they grow up they must find solutions to these acts of criminal behaviour and not fear standing up and speaking out for other children who are being hurt by adults. The mind is a wonderous mechanism and has the power to develop in ways that still today baffle the most notible of scientists, but it must have the "fact" or it will not be able to make informed opinions to solve its visual and audio stimuli. The mind naturally knows when something is wrong and all you have to do is verify the reality, then implant the corrective or right solutions to what is being observed. Otherwise, it will reinforce the observed behaviour as being the norm, because no other stimulus is being offered as a replacement.
Dyke Davis
San Francisco,US
Posted: January 05, 2009, 08:14
