How to Choose a Scary Movie for Nieces and Nephews of Any Age
By Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media
One kid's laugh riot is another's fright fest. Learn how to choose age-appropriate scary movies for your nieces and nephews.
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 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 nieces and
nephews 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 all caregivers
- Know what the kids are 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 aunts 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 a child is frightened, give him or her 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 nieces and nephews 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 aunts 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 niece or nephew isn't ready for the scarier stuff, it can be hard
for him or her to tell that to friends who want to see the latest zombie
flick. Let children know that it's OK to be scared and to tell their
friends they'd rather watch something else.
Tips for aunts of high school kids
- 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.
- Mind the messages. Many
scary movies now pair horrific graphic violence with sexual situations
–- not a great combination for kids exploring newfound sexuality. Be
sure to talk with them about the content of the movie they're seeing and
the messages it may convey. Check Common Sense Media's reviews for
conversation starters.
- Dig into the vault. If you
like scary movies too, try introducing your teenage nieces and nephews
to some of the horror and suspense classics. Just make sure that any
younger siblings are already tucked in bed.
Photo: Yastremska
Originally published at Common Sense Media: September 28, 2016
Modified and republished: October 17, 2017