How should I talk to my child about the Belfast riots? This question weighs heavily on many parents and guardians after violent scenes erupted in the Northern Irish city. The world can feel strange and frightening, even for adults, but major events are especially confusing for children. As adults, we help them navigate these turbulent times.
Belfast was engulfed in flames last night as rioters rampaged following a knife attack on Monday. Hundreds of masked men, armed with bottles and bricks, set bins ablaze, kicked down doors, and set a Middle Eastern supermarket on fire. The violence has left many families searching for ways to explain the chaos to their children.
Why are the Belfast riots happening?
The unrest began after graphic footage circulated on social media showing an alleged attack on a man by an asylum seeker. The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, 44, was attacked at 10:30pm on Kinnaird Avenue, a residential street in north Belfast. A bystander struck the attacker with a hurley stick. Ogilvie lost his left eye and remains in serious condition. The suspect, Hadi Alodid, 30, from Sudan, has been charged with attempted murder and appeared in court.
Far-right activists shared the video, stoking anti-immigrant sentiment and calling for protests. By evening, residents fled burning homes on Lendrick Street as masked men flooded the city. Thick black smoke rose from fires on Newtownards Road and Ligoniel Road, with bins, police cars, buses, and buildings set alight.
How can I explain this to a child?
It is a heavy burden for parents, guardians, or teachers to explain such violence to a young person. However, child psychologists and education officials stress that avoiding the topic is not the answer. Children may have already seen the riots on TV or social media and formed their own views. Nicole Green, a children's counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, advises being upfront.
“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 might pull their child aside before school, allowing time for reflection. Be approachable, put away distractions like phones, and turn off the TV. Show that you are fully present. Choose a comfortable location, such as their bedroom. Teachers could hold a class discussion, as the classroom can feel safe and secure.
What should I say?
Start by asking if they have heard about the riots and what they know. “This can help you spot any misunderstandings, stop them from feeling overloaded, and respond in a way that meets them where they are emotionally,” Green recommends. Be honest about what is happening, but admit if you do not know an answer. Use careful language and clarify when something is your opinion versus fact.
Do not overwhelm them with information. “Children, especially younger ones, can get overwhelmed quite quickly if they are given too much information,” Green adds. “Their brains are still learning how to understand cause and effect, work out what is likely and what is not, and manage big feelings.”
Questions a child might ask:
- What do the words “immigrant” and “immigration” mean?
- What does “far-right” mean?
- What does being “pro-British” or “anti-white” mean?
When they express feelings, respond with empathy: “It is okay to feel worried or upset about that. It is a big thing to see.” If you show photos or videos, keep them age-appropriate. While you should not sugarcoat events, focus on positives—neighbours helping each other, people standing up to anti-immigrant views, and emergency services rescuing those in need.
“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,” Green says. “Reassurance helps regulate these fears: ‘You are safe here. There are lots of adults working hard to keep people safe.’”
Monitor your child this week for signs of distress, such as nightmares, trouble sleeping, difficulty paying attention, or physical symptoms like stomach aches. Watch for engagement with online misinformation, conspiracy theories, or clickbait. Radicalisation can start early, so explain how algorithms shape what we see on social media and that unconscious biases can influence our perceptions.
Green concludes: “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.”
