Kentucky child behavior expert urges parents to talk directly after community gun violence, warns against silence

A child behavior expert says that after community gun violence, including shootings involving or affecting young people, parents should not avoid the subject. In a segment carried by LEX18 on Aug. 18, the expert warned that silence can leave children searching for explanations elsewhere, potentially increasing fear, confusion, and rumors inside peer networks. The expert’s guidance focuses on what families can control in the aftermath of a shooting. Rather than waiting for children to bring it up, the expert said adults should start the conversation in a calm, direct manner and tailor what they say to a child’s age and maturity. The goal, according to the expert, is to help children understand what happened at a level they can process while reinforcing that caregivers are available to answer questions. The expert also emphasized the importance of reassurance and predictability. Children affected by news about violence or by changes in their community can experience heightened stress, and the expert said parents should use the opportunity to reinforce safety routines and trusted adult support. That includes letting children know that it is okay to ask questions, and that adults will help them cope with the feelings that can follow exposure to traumatic events. In addition to how to talk, the expert addressed when children may be thinking about these events. The expert said that even if a child does not ask questions immediately, it does not mean they are not affected. Young people can observe adults’ reactions, overhear conversations, or encounter details through social media, all of which can create a gap that they try to fill without accurate information. The LEX18 report frames the issue as a family and community responsibility, reflecting how gun violence can shape daily life beyond the immediate scene. The expert’s approach centers on reducing uncertainty for children, limiting misinformation, and strengthening the lines of communication between caregivers and youth. For families, the practical takeaway from the interview is to plan for repeated conversations rather than treating the first discussion as the only one. The expert suggested that after a shooting, children may return to the subject days or weeks later as they process what they have heard, and caregivers should remain ready to answer in an age-appropriate way. With community gun violence continuing to affect Kentucky neighborhoods, the expert’s recommendations underline that parenting strategies can intersect with public safety concerns, particularly for children who experience disruption or heightened anxiety after shootings. The report points families toward consistent, compassionate communication as a way to support children’s emotional health while keeping them connected to accurate information.