Why Parents Should Be Cautious About Letting Kids Watch Horror Movies
There are a lot of reasons why parents should be cautious about letting their children watch horror movies. It's best to know what you're up against before your child watches the latest thriller. In general, you should limit your child's exposure to violent content. You can begin by explaining the genre of the movie and its violent content to him or her. Afterwards, observe your child's behavior and how he or she reacts.
Explain to your child
One reason for avoiding scary films with your child is the fact that they often cause anxiety and disturb sleep. Moreover, these movies often portray harmed children, which can be particularly distressing for the younger age group. While children between 11 and 13 years of age are usually more mature when it comes to navigating scary movies, even they may get disturbed by movie scenes that depict harmed children. It is therefore best to avoid frightening movies with young children until they are at an appropriate age.
As parents, it is important to establish a safe and healthy conversation environment with your child. If you have a trusting relationship with your child, he or she is likely to share sensitive issues, such as horror films, with you. The more you understand your child's concerns and feelings, the better able you are to help them process them. If not, horror films can lead to more severe psychological effects such as anxiety, anorexia, or even suicide in some children.
Observe your child's reaction
Observe your child's reactions to horror movies. Children have trouble distinguishing between fact and fiction. According to Dr. Brad Bushman, a social psychologist at the University of Ohio, watching a horror film could cause children to lose their sense of compassion. They may laugh instead of helping someone trip over and develop an emotional numbness. While this research is not conclusive, it is something to consider.
Children's reasons for watching horror movies vary from early childhood through adolescence. They may watch them for thrills, to rebel against parental prohibitions, or to learn more about death. A 1995 study looked at the motivations of children who watch slasher movies. High gore content and thrill watching predicted a child's preference for graphic violence. You can learn more about your child's reactions and concerns by observing how they react to horror movies.
Limit your child's exposure to violence
The basic idea behind limiting your child's exposure to violence when watching scary movies is that violent images are frightening for kids. You can do this by creating guidelines and setting limits for the types of programs your child is allowed to watch. You can also help your child choose the programs that they enjoy and add more positive ones while limiting the ones they shouldn't watch. You should also talk to your child about police work and other things that police do to keep the public safe.
Despite the recent studies on children and media violence, many parents still do not know about the dangers of violent media. They might not be aware of the connections between violent media and aggression in children. It's hard to know just how ignorant some parents are about the harmful effects of media violence and what their children's experiences are when exposed to these types of movies. This is one reason why they may discount the negative effects of violent movies.
Observe your child's anxiety after watching a horror movie
After watching a horror movie, observe your child's reaction. You may notice a change in motor behavior, such as flinching or shaking. It's important to determine whether this pattern persists for longer than a day, as this may indicate a change in anxiety. Observe your child's anxiety after watching a horror movie to determine if a specific behavior was triggered by the film.
