If you have kids, you might want to watch your favorite horror movie with them. But at what age is that okay?
When Can Kids Watch Horror Movies?
Deciding when you can let your kids watch horror movies isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It mostly comes down to knowing your own child’s ability to handle fear and distinguishing fantasy from reality.
Some kids might be ready for mild scares at a younger age, while others might be more sensitive.
First, consider the content of the movie. Is it a gentle spooky story that’s designed more for fun than fright? These can often be a good way to introduce your child to the genre.
If a movie is just spooky and not violent or intensely scary, it could be suitable for elementary-aged children.
Pay attention to how your child deals with anxiety. Have you noticed them getting nightmares from something on TV before? It’s a sign they might not be ready.
In an interview with Scary Mommy, school psychologist Kara Grimes explains “Children develop their emotions through observation, discussion, and trial. [So] exploring media that features a variety of emotions, including fear, with parental guidance can assist children’s needs for emotional self-exploration in a low-stakes, safe environment [and increase] self-awareness and emotional self-management.”
Film ratings are a helpful guide, so always check them before deciding on a movie. The PG or PG-13 movies are usually more suitable for teens, whereas R-rated horror is better saved for older teens.
In most cases, you can let your kid start watching lighter horror movies around the age of 10 to 12.
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Psychological Impacts of Horror Movies on Kids
You might think a little scare for your kid can’t do much harm, especially when Halloween comes around or during a sleepover with friends. However, it’s worth considering the psychological effects that horror movies might have on young minds.
Children and teens exposed to scary movies can experience immediate anxiety, sleep problems, and an increase in fearfulness. According to studies, these short-term effects aren’t the only worries. Lasting emotional impacts can follow them into adulthood in some cases.
You may notice that after watching horror movies, some kids become more aggressive in their play. They could also start showing self-endangering behaviors.
Not all kids react the same way, and your child might just shrug it off. But others take those movie scenes to bed, resulting in nightmares and sleep disorders.
In the end, you’ll want to be on the lookout for their behavior and have an open line of communication with them to understand how they feel.
Closing Thoughts
There’s no set age as to when it’s okay when to let your kid watch horror movies. Experts recommend waiting until the age of 10 until introducing horror movies, but there are plenty of factors that can influence this age.