COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Political violence is no longer just a headline, it’s hitting close to home, with recent high-profile incidents unfolding on college campuses and across social media.

We’re on your side with vital information on how parents can talk to their kids about these difficult and often disturbing events.

From deadly campus confrontations to viral videos of real-world violence, families are grappling with how to help young people process what they’re seeing.

Ohio State therapist Arianna Gallagher shared insight with ABC 6 on how parents can start those tough conversations.

“So be able to say, yeah, what happened is really sad and invite kids to share about how they’re feeling, what their reactions are,” Gallagher said.

The recent killing of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, who rose to prominence on college campuses, has prompted a wave of questions from children and teens across the political spectrum.

Engage in a dialogue that’s based on feelings instead of getting too far into the weeds about the why behind it all,” Gallagher told ABC 6.

What makes these events even more alarming? The widespread sharing of graphic content online, including videos of the murder.

“I think anytime we can model healthy processing of emotions, it makes sense to do that,” Gallagher said.

She warns that social media isn’t just a mirror, it’s a magnifier, especially for young minds.

There are lots of different examples in our world today where you might agree with something or not agree with something. It’s really about how are we going to, as a society, take care of each other when we’re going through difficult times,” said Gallagher.

With yet another deadly school shooting near Denver this week, Gallagher told ABC 6 that it’s critical for parents to open the door to honest conversation and really listen.

So being able to ask some questions and engage in a dialogue so that you’re not just shutting down the conversation, but you’re inviting that child to think critically about the information that they’re taking in. I think that’s really a good first step,” Gallagher said.

As political violence continues to impact young people in real, personal ways, experts indicate that staying silent is not an option. Parents don’t have to have all the answers, just the willingness to talk, listen, and guide.

If you or someone you know is struggling to cope with recent events, contact a mental health professional or support organization for help.