In 2026, as graphic coverage of Middle East conflicts continues to flood screens, Malaysian children are quietly absorbing the emotional toll. A 2025 United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) study found that around 60% of young people globally have experienced secondary trauma from continuous exposure to war-related media, with symptoms including persistent anxiety, emotional detachment and sleep disturbances.
It often starts in the background. A television hums with breaking news, images of destruction flicker across the screen and voices carry a sense of urgency. Nearby, a child is quietly playing, seemingly absorbed in their own world. Later, at the dinner table, adults discuss rising prices, uncertainty and the ripple effects of war.
No one is speaking directly to the child. Yet, the child is listening and feeling.
Although conflicts in the Middle East may appear distant from Malaysia, their psychological impact does not always respect geographical boundaries. In today’s hyperconnected world, children are increasingly exposed to global crises through media and everyday conversations. While they may not fully understand what they see or hear, they are far from unaffected.
Repeated exposure to distressing images and headlines can slowly take a toll. Even from afar, children may begin to absorb a sense of fear and uncertainty, as if the danger is
closer than it really is. Over time, this kind of indirect exposure can shape how safe or unsafe the world feels to them.
Equally significant are the conversations happening around them. Through what can be described as emotional eavesdropping, children pick up on discussions not meant for them, including those about war, safety, or rising living costs. Without fully understanding the context, they absorb the emotional weight behind those words. A simple comment about things becoming more expensive may quietly translate into a deeper worry that something is not right.
Children are highly sensitive to the emotional climate at home. When adults are anxious, tense, or preoccupied, children often mirror that state of mind, absorbing not just what is said, but how it is said. This emotional contagion happens quickly within families, even without direct explanation. Over time, when news is consumed intensely or conversations carry persistent worry, children may begin to see the world as more uncertain or threatening than it actually is.
The internal responses do not always appear in obvious ways. Some children may ask repeated questions about safety -- “Will this happen here?” Others may become more clingy, withdrawn, or irritable. Sleep disturbances, including nightmares or difficulty falling asleep, can also surface. Often, these reactions come without clear explanations.
In Malaysia, where access to digital media is widespread and family interactions are closely knit, the likelihood of such exposure is particularly high. Children are not only encountering war-related content through television, but also through smartphones, social media platforms and even forwarded messages. The line between adult concerns and children’s awareness has become increasingly blurred.
This makes it more important for parents and educators to respond thoughtfully.
The first step is awareness, recognising that children are not simply in the background, but are actively taking in what they see and hear. Limiting exposure to distressing or graphic news content is a practical starting point. It is not about shielding them completely, but about being mindful of what is shared in their presence.
Equally crucial is communication. When children ask questions or repeat something they have overheard, it is an opportunity to gently guide their understanding. Simple, calm explanations can help make sense of what they are picking up, without overwhelming them.
Reassurance plays a central role. Children need to feel safe and protected. A few steady words can go a long way in helping them feel grounded, even when the world outside seems uncertain.
It is also important for adults to be aware of their own reactions. Children often take their cues from the people around them. When calmness and reassurance are modelled, children are more likely to feel secure.
Schools, too, can play a part by creating space for children to express their thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, simply being heard can ease anxieties that children do not yet know how to explain.
Ultimately, the goal is not to disconnect children from reality, but to help them engage with it in a way that feels manageable. Wars may be fought across distant lands, but their emotional echoes can reach into our homes, in the flicker of a screen, in the tone of a conversation and in the quiet ways children try to make sense of it all. Paying attention to what they see, hear and feel is not just good parenting; it is essential to safeguarding their mental well-being. Because even when we think they are not paying attention, they are watching, listening, and learning how to feel about the world.
Dr Shabina Rehman is the deputy dean (research) at the School of Education and Social Sciences, Management and Science University (MSU).
