Should I let my kids watch scary movies?

While there is no absolute age at which scary movies are appropriate, Dr. Dry recommends not introducing them to very young children because of the potential to create long-term anxiety.
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Is it OK for children to watch horror movies?

They may be ready for more than you think.

Developmentally, teens can handle dramatic and psychological suspense, but kids under 16 still shouldn't see slasher horrors, especially those that feature kids in dire danger or that have lots of gore.
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What happens if a kid watches a horror movie?

Schechter, a child psychiatrist, spoke at the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry conference where he noted that "children who watch horror films may be more likely to develop anxiety, sleep disorders, and self-endangering behaviors." The very real possibility of a child developing a mental health issue ...
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Why children should not watch scary movies?

A well-known study by Harrison and Cantor of the University of Wisconsin shows that the younger a child is when allowed to view a horror film, the longer-lasting the effects. Undesirable behavior could also develop as they grow older with some having trauma and anxiety disorders well into adulthood.
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How do horror movies affect kids?

The NIMH study reveals that scary movies can produce severe cases of anxiety in children. The symptoms of anxiety are sleeping disorder, aggressiveness and self-endangerment. It is studied that children exposed to horror movies avoided real-life situations. They avoid seeing other movies or T.V shows.
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Should parents let their kids watch scary movies? | The Social



Can a child be traumatized by a scary movie?

According Min Zhuo, a professor of physiology at the University of Toronto who specializes in fear and anxiety, this isn't hyperbole. That's because watching a horror movie really can cause trauma, and the effects of that trauma — especially when experienced in childhood — can last into adulthood.
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Is Scary movie appropriate for 12 year olds?

My honest opinion for children

I recommend this 13+ as long as they are mature enough, during sex scenes I would look away just as they can easily too. If your kids know what the jokes in the movie means then they are old enough to watch it, if they find it entertaining/funny which is the purpose of watching the movie.
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Is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark appropriate for a 10 year old?

The MPAA rated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark PG-13 for terror/violence, disturbing images, thematic elements, language including racial epithets, and brief sexual references.
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Can horror movies have harmful long term effects on kids?

Those who watch horror can experience anxiety, fear, sleep disturbance, bedwetting and may become unable to sleep alone. It is the parents' discretion, whether to expose their children to this genre or not, depending on whether their children will be able to handle the content shown.”
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Can horror movies cause PTSD?

Your Brain: Horror movies can trigger a reaction in those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. In rare instances, watching these films can also cause PTSD.
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Do horror movies create killers?

As far as serial killers being created from watching horror movies, very little evidence exists which would prove such a theory. In fact, most surveys seem to indicate that horror movie fans are typically very peaceful people.
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Should 10 year olds watch horror movies?

While there is no absolute age at which scary movies are appropriate, Dr. Dry recommends not introducing them to very young children because of the potential to create long-term anxiety.
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Is the horror genre good for kids?

Scary stories help kids learn how to deal with the real world. They're a way to acknowledge that life isn't always easy and learn that it's OK to be scared. Monsters are fun, but they should also help us understand scary situations, and how to cope with them.
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Do horror movies cause aggression?

Horror movies do not make people aggressive. This is mainly because aggression is caused in many ways namely intrinsic and or extrinsic factors. For instance, aggression can be caused by fatigue, anger, attitude and environmental factors like frequent experience of violence at home or in the neighborhood.
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Do horror movies affect mental health?

The study also found that participants who watched more than 2 hours of TV each night displayed higher levels of depression than those who had shorter viewing times. Binge-watching horror movies also increases the regularity of adrenaline in the body, worsening issues with sleep.
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Why are scary movies good for kids?

Kids are anxious and observant, and scary movies give them a safe place to frame that anxiety, to give it a name and face it through the brave young protagonists fighting monsters or witches or ghosts onscreen. Above all, kid horror movies teach kids how to first accept and conquer their fears.
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Is horror appropriate for 8th graders?

Horror is Developmentally Appropriate for Middle Schoolers

Middle schoolers want to understand and overcome their fears. By experiencing them in a fictional setting, they can experience the emotions while still feeling safe.
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Is Scary Stories inappropriate?

Scary Stories doesn't do that. While it's not a perfect movie, it treats its audience with respect. There isn't anything wildly inappropriate in this PG-13 film, but there is some scary imagery, and Scary Stories trusts that its audience can handle that.
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Can a 10 year old watch Halloween?

Halloween as an R-rated property with numerous movies under its umbrella (and another, Halloween Kills, on the way), some of which are scarier or more violent than others, but none of which are really meant for young kids.
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What is the most kid friendly horror movie?

  1. Monsters, Inc. (2001) ...
  2. Coraline (2009) Best for: Big Kids. ...
  3. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1950) ...
  4. Monster House (2006) Best for: Little Kids and Big Kids. ...
  5. Hocus Pocus (1993) Best for: Little Kids and Big Kids. ...
  6. Labyrinth (1986) Best for: Big Kids. ...
  7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) ...
  8. Frankenweenie (2012)
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What is the darkest children's movie?

14 Darkest Animated Children's Movies Ever
  1. 1 The Secret of NIMH. Possibly the film regarded as the darkest that is aimed at child audiences is The Secret of NIMH.
  2. 2 FernGully: The Last Rainforest. ...
  3. 3 Bambi. ...
  4. 4 The Black Cauldron. ...
  5. 5 Grave Of The Fireflies. ...
  6. 6 Watership Down. ...
  7. 7 An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. ...
  8. 8 The Last Unicorn. ...
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How can I help my child forget a scary movie?

Here are some tips to help you navigate the sometimes-frightening waters of kids' movies:
  1. Do a Little Research About the Kids' Movie First. ...
  2. Avoid 3-D Movies for Younger Children. ...
  3. Talk Through Scary Plot Twists Before They Happen. ...
  4. Recognize Their Childhood Fears and Respect Them. ...
  5. Validate Their Experiences.
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Is Stranger things OK for 10 year old?

Pretty Good Show - NO WAY for kids under 13.
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Can my 10 year old watch the conjuring?

And, according to this information, The Conjuring movies are not suitable for anyone below the age of 15. All of The Conjuring movies contain material deemed suitable for older audiences. Most of the films include strong supernatural elements, while some feature a certain level of threat, violence, or injury.
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Can a 12 year old watch scream?

Scream is Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout and some sexual references which means it may not suitable for kids under 17.
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