What Is Terrorism?
Quick Answer
Terrorism is when a person or a small group uses violence to scare a large number of people, usually to try to force a change or send a message. Terrorists attack places where regular people gather, like cities and public spaces, to create fear. It is a crime, and governments, police, and many organizations around the world work every day to stop it and keep people safe.
Explaining By Age Group
Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation
You know how there are rules at school to keep everyone safe, like walking in the hallways and being kind? Well, in the big world, there are rules too. Most people follow them, but sometimes a few people do really bad things to scare others. That's called terrorism.
Terrorism is when someone hurts people or breaks things on purpose to make everyone feel scared. It's wrong, and it's against the law everywhere. The people who do it are trying to scare as many people as they can, and that's what makes it so mean.
When something scary like this happens, lots of helpers show up right away. Police, firefighters, doctors, and other brave people rush in to help keep everyone safe and take care of anyone who is hurt. There are way more helpers in the world than bad people.
If you ever hear about something scary on the news and it worries you, talk to a grownup you trust. They will help you feel safe. Remember, there are millions of people working every day to protect you and your family.
Ages 6-8 More Detail
Terrorism is when a person or a small group of people uses violence to scare a lot of people. Unlike a war between countries with armies, terrorists are usually small groups who attack regular people in everyday places — like buses, buildings, or public events. They do it to make people afraid.
Terrorists have different reasons for what they do, but their main goal is always the same: to create fear. They might be angry about something going on in the world, or they might have extreme beliefs. But nothing makes what they do okay. Hurting innocent people is always wrong.
When a terrorist attack happens, it's all over the news, and it can feel really scary. But here's something important to know: terrorism is actually very rare. You are much, much safer than the news might make you feel. The reason terrorism gets so much attention is that it's shocking and unusual.
There are thousands of people whose job is to stop terrorism before it happens. Police officers, government workers, and security teams work together every day to find and stop these plans. They prevent many more attacks than most people ever hear about.
If you see something about terrorism on TV or hear about it at school and feel scared or confused, that's completely normal. Talk to a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. They can answer your questions and help you feel safe. It's okay to feel upset — that means you care about people.
Ages 9-12 Full Explanation
Terrorism is the use of violence against regular people to create fear and panic, usually to push a political or social message. Unlike a war between two armies, terrorism targets civilians — people who are just going about their daily lives. The goal isn't usually to win a military battle but to make an entire population feel unsafe.
Terrorist groups come from many different backgrounds and have different reasons for their actions. Some have extreme political views. Some twist religious teachings to justify violence, even though the vast majority of people who follow those religions completely reject terrorism. What they all share is the belief that hurting innocent people will somehow help their cause — but it never truly does.
One of the biggest examples of terrorism in modern history is the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, when terrorists hijacked airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Nearly 3,000 people died that day. It changed how countries around the world think about and fight terrorism.
Governments fight terrorism in many ways. Intelligence agencies gather information to stop attacks before they happen. Airport security, building security, and online monitoring are all designed to catch threats early. Countries also work together, sharing information across borders, because terrorism is a global problem that no single country can solve alone.
Here's something the news often doesn't emphasize: terrorism is statistically very rare. You're far more likely to be in a car accident than to ever be affected by a terrorist attack. Terrorists want you to feel afraid — that's literally their goal. Understanding that you're actually safe is one of the best ways to fight back against what terrorism is trying to do.
If a terrorist event happens and you feel scared, anxious, or sad, those feelings make complete sense. Talk about it with someone you trust. It also helps to notice the helpers — the first responders, the volunteers, the neighbors helping each other. After every terrible event, you'll see far more people showing kindness and courage than the small number who caused the harm.
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Tips for Parents
Terrorism can be a challenging topic to discuss with your child. Here are some practical tips to help guide the conversation:
DO: Follow your child's lead. Let them ask questions at their own pace rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for yet. If they seem satisfied with a simple answer, that's okay — they'll come back with more questions when they're ready.
DO: Use honest, age-appropriate language. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid making up stories or deflecting. Kids can sense when you're being evasive, and honesty builds trust.
DO: Validate their feelings. Whatever emotion your child has in response to learning about terrorism, acknowledge it. Say things like 'It makes sense that you'd feel that way' or 'That's a really good question.'
DON'T: Don't dismiss their curiosity. Responses like 'You're too young for that' or 'Don't worry about it' can make children feel like their questions are wrong or shameful. If you're not ready to answer, say 'That's an important question. Let me think about the best way to explain it, and we'll talk about it tonight.'
DO: Create an ongoing dialogue. One conversation usually isn't enough. Let your child know that they can always come back to you with more questions about terrorism. This makes them more likely to come to you rather than seeking potentially unreliable sources.
Common Follow-Up Questions Kids Ask
After discussing terrorism, your child might also ask:
Why do terrorists attack regular people instead of armies?
Terrorists attack regular people because their goal is to create fear in the whole population, not to win a military fight. They know that attacking everyday places like schools, markets, or train stations will get huge news coverage and make everyone feel unsafe. That fear is exactly what they want, which is why their targets are often public spaces.
Can terrorism be stopped?
Terrorism can't be eliminated completely, but it can be greatly reduced. Governments use intelligence agencies, security measures, and international cooperation to stop many attacks before they happen. Education, fighting poverty, and addressing unfairness also help, because people who feel heard and have opportunities are less likely to turn to violence.
What should I do if I'm scared about terrorism?
First, talk to a trusted adult about how you feel. It helps to know that terrorism is extremely rare and that many people work every day to keep you safe. Limit how much scary news you watch, and focus on the good things happening around you. Feeling scared is normal, but don't let that fear control your daily life — that's exactly what terrorists want.
Is terrorism the same as war?
No, they're different. War is a conflict between countries or large organized groups with armies. Terrorism is carried out by smaller groups or even individuals who target civilians to create fear. Sometimes terrorism happens during a war, but it can also happen during peacetime. Both cause suffering, but they work in different ways.
What happened on September 11, 2001?
On that day, a terrorist group called al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes in the United States. They crashed two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and one crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people died. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in history and changed how the world fights terrorism.
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