- Even adults have trouble sleeping after watching scary movies…
Horror movies have become popular as they provide unique entertainment and feeling for people who watch them. They give us an adrenaline rush that makes us addicted to them.
Also, horror movies allow us to experience fear in a safe environment. We know that what is happening on the screen is not real and we are not in actual danger.
However, scary movies are not for everyone, especially for children. Kids may love Halloween and dress up in costumes, but horror films can affect them differently.
Experts believe that horror movies have a long-lasting impact on children. According to a study, 90 percent of the participants reported that they experienced media fright in their childhood.
Furthermore, horror movies have recently become more realistic and gory. Children are at a stage where their imaginations are very active. Their fantasy would be bombarded with violent monsters and mutilated corpses, negatively affecting their emotions and behavior.
As a parent, you must understand the effects of horror movies on your children’s behavior and emotions. Before you let your kids watch scary films, learn how they affect them and how to help them manage the effects.
Why are horror movies bad for kids?
Horror movies may help a child find and manage their fears and phobias. However, the harm of scary films on your child can be more terrible than its benefits, such as:
Sleep problems
Horror films trigger certain emotions like stress, shock, and fear. They cause the release of several hormones in the body, such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. These feelings create physiological responses like dilating pupils and increasing muscle tension and heart rate.
When adrenaline is released too quickly, it makes it harder for your child to sleep at night. Children may become activated after watching a horror movie and experience difficulty falling asleep.
Develop fear and anxiety
At the age of 6 to 14, children become sensitive and vulnerable to external influences. A child may experience intense fear when they see graphic images like blood and gore, accidents, and murder on social media and in the news.
Some children are highly disturbed when they watch scary movies due to their age and developmental stage. They may be unable to determine what is real and what is imaginary.
Many children have developed phobias due to horror movies. Some are scared of clowns after watching the movie “It.” Some are even scared of going to the bathroom alone at night.
Become aggressive
Children copy what they see other people do, and they may recreate fight scenes from horror movies. Some parents may find it funny, but it is something they should be worried about.
Children may be unable to understand their consequences in the real world. They may think they have superpowers and don’t understand why they can’t perform the same stunts. Some children may even think violence can solve problems, making them more aggressive.
Become more clingy
Children are more affected by horror films than adults due to the imagery usually portrayed in this genre. They feel anxious and may cry while watching the movie.
They then find themselves latching onto the thing or person that brings them the most comfort to ease their fears. Some even get sick after watching a scary movie. If your child feels this way, you mustn’t allow them to watch scary movies.
Become susceptible to absolutes
Children may think that the world is black-and-white. Their thoughts reflect what they see in horror movies, where most stories revolve around a hero fighting a monster.
If they see themselves as the good guy, they think anyone who disagrees with them is the bad guy. But if they see themselves as bad guys, they believe they can’t change.
Children must learn to decipher right from wrong and be responsible for their actions. Letting them watch horror movies may interfere with this behavior.
Don’t Let Your Children Watch Horror Movies
As a parent, you must understand how your children feel and how horror films and scary images can affect them mentally and emotionally. Exposure to something that can trigger their anxiety can cause psychological effects on them. You must help them cope with the fear associated with frightening media content.
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