Did you know that 5,000,000 children die every single year? Now that I have your attention from a hook that has nothing to do with the prompt, you will likely continue reading. Scary movies often contain themes and messages that are inappropriate for children and can cause them to become scared, anxious, or traumatized. These themes can include violence, horror, death, or other scary elements that can be especially difficult for younger children to process. It is important to be aware of these themes and messages when watching a scary movie with a child. Parents should make sure that they discuss the themes with their children before the movie and explain why they are inappropriate. They should also watch the movie with their child to ensure they are not scared or traumatized by it.
Some parents choose to take their child to see a movie that does not contain any scary scenes, but others want to make sure that they don’t open the door for a bad habit or learning
experience. The best way to avoid this is to choose a movie that has a good rating and meet with your child before and after so that you can discuss the themes and talk about how your child is feeling. It is important that your children stay away from scary movies. According to the Atlantis Press, “Vivid depictions of violence and screams in horror films burn a child’s memory in the short and long term, thereby creating an element of fear that affects the child’s mental, personality and emotions. If this continues for a long time it will result in very worrying problems.” If they are still watching them, talk to them about what they like to see and what scares them. Talk to them about the themes that they are concerned about. Talk to them about what it means to be brave and how they can be brave. Talk to them about the lessons they can learn from these movies and find ways to help them understand them.
Producers often market ‘scary movies’ to children and young teens. Although there are many movies marketed to children, there are also some that are marketed to young teenagers. They may use the scares to push a point about inappropriate behavior or be purchased by the parents for a cheap laugh. It is important to be aware of what your child will see and understand before it is released. You will want to let your child know that some of the scary scenes in the movie are only included for entertainment and the rest of the movie is a story.
It is also important that you explain to your child that the movie does not contain any actual ‘real’ scary scenes. These types of movies are common for teens and children to watch. A movie marketed to children will often have a warning that it is ‘for kids’ and that if the kids are old enough to see it they should be old enough to understand it. “When kids are exposed to excessively scary movies, images, or even haunted houses, they tend to have some of the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” states Dr. Stanlon of Fox-59. Parents can still have a good time and enjoy watching their children enjoy a movie, however, while scary movies and other scary events are not appropriate for all children and teens, they are a special part of the horror genre. They should be watched by teens who have had a good understanding of the content and what they are watching. They should also be watched by parents who have taken the time to talk with them about what they are watching.
There are many movies marketed to children that do not contain scary images and stories. Many people enjoy watching them because of the positive message of overcoming fears and the message that we should always try our best. There are also many movies that do not contain any scary content for adults and are appropriate for all ages, including children. When you choose to see a scary movie, be sure to talk with your child about the content and what he or she will be watching. The goal is to take the fear out of the movie experience and to make sure that your child has a positive experience. It is best to avoid the release of movies that are not appropriate for all ages, especially movies that are targeted toward children.
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