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.
Getting into scary stuff at a young age isn't usually cause for alarm, Scrivner said – young horror fans are braver than most children their age, to be sure, but they're really just exploring the complexities of their world, which is scary enough in real life.
There are many reasons tots might get attached to these types of images, from having a really great time on Halloween to getting the sense that spookier books, shows, and games are somehow more grown-up. And finally, toddlers, like all people, can get a taste for being a little scared as a way of processing emotions.
Your child asking to see a scary movie is another sign that they could be ready, but parents should approach it slowly, keeping in mind the child's age, developmental level and the rating, themes and other factors of the film. The key is to not overwhelm kids with fear, especially age-inappropriate fears.
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.
Toddlers and young children who watch violent movies, including Halloween horror films, television shows or video games may be more likely to develop anxiety, sleep disorders, and aggressive and self-endangering behaviors.
Horror entertainment can trigger the fight-or-flight response, which comes with a boost in adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine. The brain can then process surroundings and conclude that the experience is not a genuine threat. This knowledge of personal safety is one reason horror fans habitually watch scary movies.
Watching horror movies may lead to increased anxiety, fear, and nightmares, especially in younger children. Children who have been through trauma may be triggered by the themes and images in horror movies, which could make their symptoms worse.
Watching horrific images can trigger unwanted thoughts and feelings and increased levels of anxiety or panic, and even increase our sensitivity to startle-eliciting stimuli, making those of us who are anxious more likely to respond negatively and misinterpret the sensations as real threats.
Gremlins was one of the movies that prompted the addition of a PG-13 rating, for what it's worth. If your younger kids are ok with scary, creepy stuff (say they love Stranger Things), then you can probably go as young as 10 for Gremlins. But we think it might be best for kids 12 and up.
If your child has seen inappropriate content
And sometimes, children may look for things because they're curious. It's important to know how to reassure young people and help them know what to do and where to go for support if they see inappropriate content online.
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.
Common fears include fear of the dark, burglary, war, death, separation or divorce of their parents, and supernatural beings (such as ghosts and monsters).
Many Christians may shun the horror genre, because they wish to avoid thinking about such harsh content. They are entirely within their freedom in Christ to do so. But Christians are not required to avoid a genre due to rough content.
And yes, kids can have real psychological and emotional problems when watching these types of movies. A study by New York-Presbyterian Hospital reveals that they are also highly likely to suffer from insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, and aggressive or risky behavior for themselves or others.
People who are sensitive to anxiety are more likely to experience negative effects from watching horror movies. The tendency to fear intrusive thoughts and images can be triggered and increase levels of anxiety or panic. Viewing horror images can lead to unwanted thoughts and feelings.
For example, if a person spends many hours a day watching scary movies, they may eventually come to believe that the world is a scary place and may therefore fear leaving their home. The person may show similar symptoms of PTSD, but are not directly experiencing it.
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.
Fear and anxiety are typical reactions to horror films, but some people may experience extreme distress after seeing a scary movie. In fact, psychology researchers have described a rare phenomenon called cinematic neurosis, in which distress from watching horror films results in a need for psychological intervention.
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.
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.
Some research indicates that people with a higher sensation-seeking trait (i.e., a stronger need for experiencing thrill and excitement) tend to seek out and enjoy horror-related experiences more. Those with a lower sensation-seeking trait may find those experiences unpleasant and avoid them.
Many people believe that horror fans have low empathy. The claim that horror fans lack empathy is rooted in a flawed interpretation of a 2005 meta-analysis. Some morbidly curious people score high in empathy. Horror fans and morbidly curious people may be less coldhearted than the average person, research suggests.
Advanced Brain Activity
The results of multiple studies approve that scary scenes advance the level of adrenaline, releasing neurotransmitters in the brain.