Children’s personality style and temperament. Some children are naturally more prone to be fearful, and news of a dangerous situation may heighten their feelings of anxiety. At the other extreme, some children become immune to, or ignore, the violence and suffering depicted in the news. They can get overloaded and become numb due to the repetitive nature of the reports. ! Children’s stage of development. Children relate the news to events or issues in their own lives. Young children are usually concerned about separation from parents, good and bad, and fears of punishment. They may ask questions about children seen on the news who are alone and bring up issues about their own good and bad behavior. Since middle school children are in the midst of peer struggles and are developing a more mature outlook, they will be concerned about fairness and punishment. Teens consider larger issues related to ethics, politics, and even their own involvement in a potential response. Teenagers, like adults, may become reflective about life and re-examine their own priorities and interests.