One kid's laugh riot is another's fright fest. Learn how to choose age-appropriate scary movies. By Caroline Knorr
(commonsensemedia.org)
As Common Sense Media's parenting editor, Caroline helps parents make sense of what’s going on in their kids' media lives. From games to cell phones to movies and more, if you're wondering "what’s the right age for…?" Caroline can help you make the decision that works best for your family. She has more than 20 years of editorial and creative marketing writing experience and has held senior-level positions at Walmart.com, Walmart stores, Cnet, and Bay Area Parent magazine. She specializes in translating complex information into bite-sized chunks to help families make informed choices about what their kids watch, play, read, and do. And she's the proud mom of a teenage son whose media passions include Star Wars, StarCraft, graphic novels, and the radio program This American Life. Email Caroline at support@commonsensesupport.desk-mail.com
Scariness comes from fear of the unknown, from surprise, and from fears about the loss of a loved one. Different things scare different children; it's not always possible to predict what will frighten a particular kid. Young kids are frightened more by creatures that older children know don’t exist. Abrupt noises, eerie sounds, and music create tension in both younger and older children. Psychological suspense, with its threats of impending doom, can terrify your middle-school kids.
Movies with scary images, intense danger, loud noises, and -- above all -- blood and gore, can create all sorts of disturbances. Among them are anxiety, sleep disruption, and fears about possible situations. Children younger than 7 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 things like zombies. Scary and disturbing images and sounds can affect vulnerable kids for years.
Tips for parents of all kids
- Know what they're watching -– and whether it's appropriate. Check out Common Sense Media reviews, which offer age recommendations and provide age-appropriate selections.
- Practice your poker face. Some research suggests that kids will become more scared if they see that you are scared by something in a movie or on TV.
Tips for parents of young kids
- Choose media with care. Kids under 7 will believe what they see. When picking media, nothing should be more startling than "Boo!" Kids over 5 may like haunted houses, mysteries, and things popping out everywhere, but stick to animation, which helps them realize that 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 do go bump in the night. If your child is frightened, give him physical comfort, a glass of water, or a distraction. Kids 2 to 7 respond well to magical remedies and nightly rituals, such as cleaning the monsters out of the closet.
- Don't be surprised if your kids suddenly like a little scary stuff. Kids who are 8-to-10 years old can handle being scared for longer periods of time -– in fact, they love it. Bring on the phantoms and ghoulish faces, but continue to choose films without gore or physical harm. Some intense moments are fun as long as the resolution involves a happy ending.
Tips for parents of middle school kids
- Pushing boundaries may be OK. Some kids of this age are ready to be scared silly. You still should be mindful of blood and gore, but in general skeletons, monsters, and aliens are okay. Even so, stick to movies that have humor mixed in, or those with safe-and-sound endings.
- Give reassurance when necessary. Other kids still scare easily. Middle school is when scary movies start being a big part of sleepovers and movie outings with friends. Even if your child isn't ready for the scarier stuff, it can be hard for her to tell that to friends who want to see the latest zombie flick. Let your children know that it's ok to be scared and to tell their friends they'd rather watch something else.
Scary (But Not TOO Scary!) Halloween Movies
If your kids like a little spookiness along with their tricks and treats, this list of scary (but not too scary!) Halloween movies is sure to hit just the right note.
age 3+
George finds mischief in mildly spooky Halloween tale. 2013 57 minutes
age 3+
Sweet-as-honey Halloween story with Pooh and pals.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
age 4+
Halloween mystery has some mild frights.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2008)
age 4+
Halloween isn't complete without this classic.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)
age 4+
Delightful musical tale of pumpkin who doesn't fit in.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
age 7+
Tim Burton magic with just a touch of scariness.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1993)
age 7+
A funny and charming movie for the whole family.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
age 8+
No scares, mild peril in subtitled animated film.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)
age 9+
Action, monsters, humor in R.L. Stine adaptation.
On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
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