A GROWING number of children are calling the NSPCC’s Childline service to discuss their concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

With schools now closed for most children, and the UK undergoing a three week lockdown, Childline have confirmed that they are receiving more and more calls about COVID-19.

Those aged between 12 and 15 have been found to be the most common age group to contact the helpline.

Issues such as anxiety – which have been worsened by the school closures – and the inescapable news coverage on COVID-19 are amongst the most frequently spoken about.

Young people are speaking to the Childline volunteers about their fears of catching the coronavirus themselves and their concerns for family members, while racially charged bullying has also been mentioned in some cases due to coronavirus originating in China.

Debs Davis, Childline service manager for Wales, said: “The NSPCC’s Childline service has been inundated with contacts about Coronavirus, and these are steadily increasing.

“Childline has already counselled hundreds of children concerned about the virus, and young people are finding additional support in one another on our online message boards.

“It makes sense that the constant influx of bad news can be very overwhelming for a child.

“Many young people are already coping with challenges in some way, and at this transitional point in their lives, the extra pressure caused by COVID-19 can be very difficult for young people to cope with.

“With round-the-clock news showing pictures of empty shops and charts of death rates, it makes sense that young people in Wales are picking up on the situation and panicking.

“We know that some young people don’t get on with their family or feel unsafe at home, and for these young people it’s a particularly challenging time.

“But it’s important in these uncertain times that we are talking to our children of all ages and addressing any concerns they may have.

“My advice to parents, carers and professionals on talking to children about the virus is to balance helping them to understand the facts whilst providing emotional support.

“It’s important not to shy away from talking about the coronavirus with your children.

“They may have already picked up snippets of information from social media or the news, and even though they haven’t discussed it with you they may be wondering what it means for them and people they care about.

“Be calm, honest and informed when talking to them about news related to the coronavirus.

“Begin the conversation by asking them what they already know about it. Reassure them that you are going to listen to them, remove any distractions and mute any sounds so that you can give them your full attention.

“Try not to interrupt when they talk to you about it, just let them say what they need to say and pay attention. If they address fears, be sure not to dismiss them. Children will be taking in a lot of information now, and anxious minds can create a variety of worries.

“When they’ve finished, calmly explain the facts of the situation. You can find these through NHS and World Health Organisation sites, with advice on what we know about COVID-19 and how to help protect yourself from it. It’s important to be honest and tailor what you say to their maturity.

“At Childline we know that it can be daunting to try and help a child through challenging times.

“We recommend that you encourage them to use Childline’s online message boards to talk to other young people about how they’re feeling. They can also draw pictures and play games to relax and have fun.

“Talking to people will help a young person realise they are not alone.

“It’s important we allow them to make time for themselves, create a routine to limit the impact having time off can have on things like mood and sleep, as well as keep them busy with things like exercise, schoolwork or hobbies.”

Anyone who wishes to speak to a trained Childline counsellor can call 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk.