How much ‘scary stuff’ is OK for young kids?
Some kids like scary stuff, and some kids hate it. Movies with fearsome images, intense danger, loud noises, and — above all — blood and gore can create all sorts of problems, so it’s wise to take it slowly.
Children younger than seven can’t easily distinguish between fantasy and reality, even if you tell them it’s not real. You will know if your kids have become too frightened when they start having sleep problems, irrational fears and obsessions with, for example, zombies.
Disturbing images and sounds can affect vulnerable kids for years. When scary surprises, such as the one at the beginning of “Finding Nemo,” crop up suddenly
in a movie, check in with your kids. Because they’re caught up in the emotion of fear,
they may miss the fact that a scene has a safe resolution.
Feel free to leave the movie theatre, turn off a show or otherwise shut down something you think is agitating. Talk about it, comfort your kid and use it as a gauge for next time.
These tips can help:
Choose with care
Kids over five may like haunted houses, mysteries and things popping out everywhere, but stick to animation, which helps them realize it’s fantasy.
Be careful with monsters, skeletons, aliens and zombies. Avoid any dangerous material involving characters near their age.
Be prepared for when things go bump in the night
If your kid is frightened at bedtime, give him physical comfort, a glass of water or a distraction. Kids between the ages of 2 and 7 respond well to magical remedies and nightly rituals, such as cleaning the monsters out of the closet.
Avoid shows and movies in which characters use violence to resolve conflict. But if it comes up, talk about alternative ways that characters could have solved a problem.
Watch the clock
Avoid potentially frightening stuff (including serious loss, scary suspense, bullying, coercion and portrayals of psychological dysfunction) right before bedtime.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices.