How should I talk to my child about the Belfast riots?

The world is a strange and scary place, one that even adults may feel they don’t fully understand.

But major events can be even more confusing for children, and for their parents as they help their youngsters to navigate the world around them.

Belfast was ablaze last night as rioters tore through the Northern Irish city following a knife attack on Monday.

Hundreds of masked men carrying bottles and bricks set bins on fire, kicked doors and set a Middle Eastern supermarket

Why are the Belfast riots happening?

The protests began after graphic footage was shared on social media of a man being allegedly attacked by an asylum seeker.

The victim, named locally as Stephen Ogilvie, 44, was attacked at 10.30pm along Kinnaird Avenue, a residential road in northern Belfast.

A bystander can then be seen walking towards the attacker and swinging at him with a hurley, a long wooden stick used in the Irish sport of hurling.

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Mr Ogilvie lost his left eye and is in serious condition.

The suspect, Hadi Alodid, 30, from Sudan, has been charged with attempted murder, having a bladed article and making threats to kill.

He has appeared in court in connection with the allegations today.

Far-right activists shared the footage on social media, pushing anti-immigrant views and encouraging protests.

By yesterday evening, people were being forced to flee from their burning homes on Lendrick Street as masked men flooded the city.

Thick black smoke clouded the skies as bins, police cars, buses and buildings were set alight in the Newtownards Road and Ligoniel Road areas of the city.

How can I explain this to a child?

It’s a lot for a parent, guardian or teacher to explain to a young person.

But as child psychologists and education officials stress, scenes of violence like yesterday’s aren’t something to shy away from.

Children may have heard about the riots – they were broadcast on TV and social media, after all – and might already have views on what they’ve seen.

This is why sitting down with children and being upfront about what’s happening is all the more important, Nicole Green, a children’s counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, tells Metro.

‘When children see upsetting things on the news, such as riots, violence, or unrest, it can feel confusing, scary, and a lot to take in,’ she says.

‘As adults, we cannot always stop them from seeing these things, but we can help them make sense of what they have seen in a way that feels safe and supportive.’

When should I talk to them?

Parents and guardians could pull their children aside before they head off to school, so they can reflect on the conversation for the rest of the day.

Be approachable and put any distractions like phones away and turn the TV off. You need to show they’ve got your full attention.

Hold the chat in a place they feel comfortable in, like their bedroom.

Teachers, meanwhile, could hold a class discussion as they may feel ‘safe and secure’ in the classroom.

What should I say?

Ask if they’ve heard about the riots and, if so, what they know about them, recommends Green.

‘This can help you spot any misunderstandings, stop them from feeling overloaded, and respond in a way that meets them where they are emotionally,’ she says.

Be honest about what’s going on, but be upfront if you don’t have the answer to a question.

And when it comes to these answers, think carefully about the language you use. Clarify when something is your own opinion, as it’s important to separate fact from what you think.

But don’t speak too much either – give children time to process what you’ve said and a chance to speak and feel listened to.

‘Children, especially younger ones, can get overwhelmed quite quickly if they are given too much information,’ adds Green.

‘Their brains are still learning how to understand cause and effect, work out what is likely and what is not and manage big feelings.’

When they tell you how they feel, respond with things like ‘It is okay to feel worried or upset about that. It is a big thing to see,’ as it shows empathy.

Given that the video of the incident was shared on social media, if you do decide to show photographs or videos, keep them age-appropriate.

While you shouldn’t sugarcoat what’s happening, don’t focus too much on the negatives, either.

Focus on the positives – kind neighbors helping out one another to fix wrecked homes, people standing up to anti-immigrant views, or emergency services rescuing those in need.

Doing so helps children know that, despite what happened yesterday, the world is still a safe place with kind people, Green stresses.

‘When children see violence on a screen, they can easily start to feel that it might happen to them, that danger is everywhere, or that familiar places are no longer safe,’ she says.

‘Reassurance helps regulate these fears: “You are safe here. There are lots of adults working hard to keep people safe.”‘

Keep an eye on them this week as children might experience nightmares, trouble sleeping or paying attention or even physical symptoms such as stomach aches.

Watch out for signs that children are engaging with online lies, like conspiracy theories or clickbait, too.

Radicalisation can happen from an early age, so outline that algorithms can change what we see on social media.

We also hold unconscious biases – thoughts we don’t even realise we have – which can change how we see events like those in Belfast.

Green says: ‘By being honest but gentle, offering reassurance, and giving them space to talk, you are helping them build resilience, emotional awareness, and trust.

‘Those are skills that will stay with them long after this moment has passed.’

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