It’s no secret that election season can be an emotionally charged time for adults. It’s tough to escape the barrage of election coverage, social media posts, and political advertisements. As a parent, you may not be aware that election season can be just as overwhelming for your teen. Adolescents are still developing a sense of self, learning who they are and what they stand for. This information overload, along with political tension among family and friends, can cause anxiety, stress, and confusion.
There are many ways you can help your teen navigate election time without the negative feelings. From engaging in political discussions, to regulating news and social media intake, to promoting civic engagement, you can support your teenager in staying informed and involved with issues they are passionate about, while protecting their mental health.
How Does Election Season Impact Teens?
To understand the impact of election season on teens, it’s important to understand how the election impacts adults. More than ever, political tensions are high, conversations are heated, and oftentimes it seems there’s no middle ground. It’s no wonder that almost half (45 percent) of adults have stopped talking about political and election news entirely based on a negative conversation that they have had in the past.
Other recent studies show:
- 75 percent of Americans are feeling anxious about the election
- 40 percent of Americans say they are “checked out” due to the amount of news and social media focused on politics
- 1 in 5 US voters say that politics have hurt their friendships or family relationships
While most teens are not old enough to cast a ballot, they are still absorbing the political discourse filling their homes, schools, social media feeds, or workplace. To fit in with peers or family, adolescents may feel they need to adopt a particular political stance or to choose a side, even if they are not entirely aligned with either. They may be afraid to voice their opinion on a topic for fear of judgment or being shunned by friends.
“Children don’t have the same ability to emotionally process what they’re seeing on social media and the anxiety they might feel from the adults in their life,” said Dewina Kraus, a therapist at PrairieCare’s Rochester location. “It’s really important for us to be ability to take care of them, provide them with limits, and give them a chance to talk about the things that might be bothering them.”
However, a recent study shows that discussions between those with differing opinions can be powerful. What’s often holding people back is the expected negative outcome of talking to others with opposing political beliefs. It’s important to let your teen know their thoughts and feelings are validated and that having different viewpoints is normal and healthy.
How to Help Children and Teens Stay Balanced During Election Season
Engage in Political Conversations
Your teen may approach you with curiosity about a political topic or ask questions about a candidate. To navigate these conversations with your teen, it’s important to model and practice respectful listening. This means giving your teen your full attention, without interrupting or judging. Ask questions to show that you’re genuinely interested in their perspective and avoid making assumptions or accusations.
Hence, the key is to establish an environment where discussions, even on challenging subjects like politics, can be conducted with mutual respect and productivity. When you share your thoughts, use “I” statements to express your feelings without making your teen feel attacked. For example, instead of saying, “You should vote for this candidate because…,” say, “I feel strongly about this candidate because…”. This can help keep the conversation open and productive.
Moreover, if a conversation reaches a standstill, it is important to recognize that differing perspectives are a part of life. This acknowledgment of your teen’s autonomy will encourage them to be open to your opinions as well. By fostering an environment of open and respectful dialogue, you are equipping your teen with valuable communication skills that will serve them well into adulthood. Check out these tips and conversation starters for talking with your teen.
Talk to Your Teen About Political Ads
Political ads often play on emotions rather than facts, aiming to sway voter opinion through fear. As the election nears, the mudslinging can intensify. For this reason, it’s important to engage in conversations with your teen about these ads and help them develop critical thinking skills to evaluate them effectively.
Encouraging your teen to seek out multiple sources of information and engage in fact-checking can further enhance their ability to critically evaluate political advertisements or things they read on social media. The increase in AI and viral posts make it increasingly difficult to know fact from fiction. By verifying claims and considering different viewpoints, your teen can form more informed opinions and not be easily swayed by misleading or biased information.
Limit News and Social Media Consumption
With 24/7 election-related news and social media posts, it’s tough to escape the “noise.” Social media platforms can become hotbeds of negativity and political discourse, further inducing stress and anxiety. It is just as important for teens to limit social media intake as it is for adults to protect mental health. Encourage your teen to take regular breaks from the news and social media, especially if they find themselves feeling overwhelmed or emotionally affected.
Monitor Whether Your Teen Is Feeling the Effects of Media Overload
Is election coverage overload impacting your teen’s mental health? If they are experiencing any of the following, it may be time to set some digital boundaries.
- Heightened anxiety and/or depression
- Body tension
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased heart/pulse rate while online
- Difficulty concentrating at school
- Unable to “turn off” intrusive thoughts about things they’ve read
- Irritability, anger, and resentment
- Headaches, stomachaches or other physical pain
By curbing their news and social media intake you can help limit your teen’s exposure to distressing material and promote a healthier mental space. They can practice a healthy balance of staying informed on issues that matter to them while spending quality time offline to promote positive mental health.
Encourage Civic Engagement
In absence of voting, teens can still play an active role in the political process. If they are interested in making a difference, encourage them to get involved in a cause they care about, like protecting animals or the environment. They might want to join a club at school focused on issues that matter to them. They could also volunteer for campaigns, attend rallies or protests, or express their views through letters to elected officials.
By participating in civic engagement opportunities, your teen will feel a greater sense of control and will be able to contribute to the causes they care about. Plus, Dewina states that this helps them find a balance of being involved, while still maintaining boundaries that work for the child and the parents. And importantly, they’ll be part of a community of others with shared beliefs and passions.
Promote Family Connection and Self-Care
Prioritizing self-care and nurturing mental health during a challenging time is essential for overall well-being. As a family, finding ways to limit the influx of the news can help and keep a sense of “normal” for the child.
“I think one of the most important things we say to parents is routine and predictability is key,” said Dewina. “Kids do really well when they know what’s coming next.”
Here are some ways to help your teen make the most of their time offline and maintain a sense of normalcy for them.
- Turn off notifications. Silence the distraction and the temptation to reach for your phone. Disabling notifications on select apps helps you control your online time and protect your offline time.
- Take a walk outside. Get their mind off the news and the political discourse running through their social network. By turning a 10-minute scroll into a 10-minute walk, your teen can take a break from the coverage and do something positive for their physical and mental health.
- Spend time with family. Chances are the entire family is feeling the effects of election anxiety. Those new offline boundaries you’ve established for yourself and your teen allows space for more quality family time. Recharge with some outdoor activities, game nights, or movie nights at home.
- Just breathe. When your teen feels anxiety creeping in, it’s important to take a moment to just breathe. Breathing exercises are proven to have a calming effect on the nervous system; simply taking three slow, deep breaths triggers the body’s relaxation response and quiets the “fight or flight” response. This is an exercise that a child or teen can do at a particularly stressful moment without anyone noticing.
When Teen Anxiety Goes Beyond Election Season
If you have taken steps to help your teen with their anxiety, but symptoms persist, they may be experiencing an anxiety disorder or another mental health condition. PrairieCare provides mental health services for people of all ages across Minnesota. Our multidisciplinary treatment teams and full continuum of care offer mental health support for you or teen to feel better and thrive. Learn how you can get started today.
Get a No-Cost Mental Health Screening Today
Anyone seeking services can call our team anytime at 952-826-8475 to access a no-cost mental health screening and ask any questions you may have about starting therapy. You can also request a screening using our form, and within one business day, our team will reach out to you to get started. Not sure what a mental health screening includes? Click here to learn more about screenings.
Sources:
- Pew Research Center
- Psychological Science. 2024 Mar; 35(5): 471–488.