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.
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.
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.
Horror movies and haunted houses can work for kids — and are especially worth trying for those with anxiety — but only if done the right way.
For many kids, the world already feels like a scary, unfair place, and horror doesn't try to put a big sunny smile over that. Instead, it shows kids how to confront overwhelming, frightening situations where they might feel powerless, frequently through metaphorical plots that connect to real-life situations.
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.
It is true that many children and adolescents are drawn to horror movies, It is equally true that many of these same children experience negative effects of trouble falling asleep, nightmares, fear of the dark, anxiety, increased feelings of vulnerability and increased concerns about possible (and sometimes unlikely) ...
Preschoolers are very vulnerable to traumatic events. They will struggle to express their fears or thoughts and will show this through changes in behaviour and how they function. They will need assistance to make them feel safe and to help them understand the experience.
Frequent tantrums in a 4-year-old indicate that the child has not learned to regulate their big emotions and cope with frustration. These children have very low frustration tolerance.
Fear of the dark. Many children are afraid of the dark. A toddler or preschooler tends to be afraid of unfamiliar things that they don't understand or can't control.
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.
Children under the age of 5 may be too young to actually watch and understand violent movies; however, they are psychologically affected by the scenes they are exposed to," says Dr. Daniel S.
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.
“Kids might be into scary movies because they enjoy the rush of adrenaline they feel, or because scary movies are a safe and manageable way to explore their fears, or because they're curious, or because they like the social bonding that comes along with scary experiences.
Experts agree that this kind of pretend play is an essential part of learning to be a person. "Kids can't always verbalize their ideas, so they deal with themes that intrigue or worry them through play," says Katch. Don't assume that a child's game involving guns or death means the same thing to him as it does to you.
A child with PTSD has constant, scary thoughts and memories of a past event. A traumatic event, such as a car crash, natural disaster, or physical abuse, can cause PTSD. Children with PTSD may relive the trauma over and over again. They may have nightmares or flashbacks.
Some of the symptoms of trauma in children (and adults) closely mimic depression, including too much or too little sleep, loss of appetite or overeating, unexplained irritability and anger, and problems focusing on projects, school work, and conversation.
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.
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.
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.