How to talk to children about shootings: An age-by-age guide

There's no one way to address tragedies with children, and how parents approach it depends both on the child's age and temperament. The American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend avoiding the topic with children until they reach a certain age - around 8, but again, it depends on the child.

"If it doesn't directly affect your family, kids under 8 do not need to hear about this," says Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a parenting expert. Before this age, children struggle to process it.