Movies Kids Should Not Watch A Comprehensive Parent's Guide

Navigating the world of cinema with children can feel like traversing a minefield. While movies offer a fantastic avenue for family bonding, entertainment, and even education, not all films are created equal when it comes to age appropriateness. As parents, we want to shield our kids from content that could be frightening, confusing, or otherwise harmful to their development. This guide aims to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about the movies your children watch, ensuring a positive and enriching viewing experience.

Understanding Movie Ratings

Movie ratings are designed to provide a quick snapshot of a film's content, offering guidance on its suitability for different age groups. However, it's crucial to remember that ratings are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They offer a general indication, but individual children have varying levels of sensitivity and maturity. A movie rated PG-13, for instance, might be perfectly fine for a 13-year-old, but potentially too intense for a younger child who is easily scared or has trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality. Therefore, understanding the rating system is only the first step; delving deeper into the specific content of a film is essential.

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) rating system is the most widely used in the United States and many other countries. The MPA ratings include:

• G (General Audiences): These movies contain nothing that most parents would find offensive for their children to watch. They are generally suitable for all ages.
• PG (Parental Guidance Suggested): Some material may not be suitable for young children. These films may contain some mild violence, language, or suggestive themes.
• PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned): Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. These movies may contain moderate violence, some strong language, suggestive scenes, and/or drug references.
• R (Restricted): Contains some material that adults may not find suitable for children under 17. These films may contain strong language, intense violence, graphic sexual content, and/or drug use.
• NC-17 (Adults Only): No one 17 and under admitted. These movies contain explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or other adult themes.

Beyond the MPA system, many countries have their own rating systems, each with its own nuances and criteria. Familiarizing yourself with the rating system in your region is crucial for making informed choices. Remember, these ratings serve as a guide, but your personal judgment as a parent is paramount.

Key Factors to Consider Beyond Ratings

While movie ratings provide a valuable starting point, they don't always capture the nuances of a film's content and its potential impact on children. Parents should consider several key factors beyond the rating to determine if a movie is truly appropriate for their child. These factors include violence, language, frightening content, and mature themes. By carefully evaluating these aspects, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your child's individual needs and maturity level.

• Violence: The level and nature of violence depicted in a film can significantly impact children, especially younger ones who may have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality. Consider the frequency, intensity, and graphic nature of the violence. Animated violence, while less realistic, can still be disturbing for some children. Pay attention to whether the violence is gratuitous or serves a narrative purpose. Movies that glorify violence or present it as a solution to problems can be particularly problematic.
• Language: The use of profanity, insults, and derogatory language can be unsettling for children and expose them to words they may not understand or be ready to hear. Consider the frequency and severity of the language used. Some films may contain slang or colloquialisms that are not appropriate for children. It's also important to consider the context in which the language is used. Is it used to express anger, frustration, or aggression? Or is it used in a humorous or playful way?
• Frightening Content: Scary scenes, monsters, suspenseful situations, and jump scares can be particularly disturbing for young children. Even seemingly innocuous movies can contain moments that are frightening for sensitive viewers. Consider your child's temperament and sensitivity to scary content. If your child is easily scared, you may want to avoid movies with supernatural elements, intense suspense, or graphic horror.
• Mature Themes: Movies that deal with complex or sensitive topics such as death, divorce, illness, or social issues may be difficult for children to process. These themes can evoke strong emotions and may require parental guidance and discussion. Consider your child's emotional maturity and their ability to understand and cope with these themes. If you're unsure, it's always best to err on the side of caution and wait until your child is older before exposing them to potentially upsetting content.

Specific Genres and Their Potential Pitfalls

Certain movie genres tend to contain content that may be problematic for children. Understanding the potential pitfalls associated with these genres can help parents make more informed decisions. Action movies, horror movies, and even some animated films can contain elements that are too intense or frightening for younger viewers. By being aware of these potential issues, you can better protect your children from inappropriate content.

• Action Movies: While action movies can be exciting and entertaining, they often feature intense violence, fight scenes, and explosions. These films may also contain strong language and suggestive themes. The constant barrage of action and violence can be overwhelming for some children, and the glorification of aggression may be harmful. When considering an action movie, pay attention to the level of realism in the violence, the motivations of the characters, and the overall message of the film.
• Horror Movies: Horror movies are designed to scare viewers, and they often contain graphic violence, jump scares, and disturbing imagery. These films are generally not appropriate for children, as they can cause nightmares, anxiety, and fear. Even seemingly tame horror movies can be too intense for young viewers. Avoid exposing your children to horror movies until they are mature enough to understand the difference between fantasy and reality and can cope with scary content.
• Animated Movies: While many animated films are designed for children, some contain surprisingly mature themes, violence, or frightening content. Some animated movies may explore complex emotional issues such as grief, loss, or betrayal. Others may feature intense action sequences or scary villains. It's important to remember that animation doesn't automatically equate to age appropriateness. Always research the specific content of an animated film before allowing your child to watch it.

Tools and Resources for Parents

Fortunately, parents aren't alone in navigating the world of movies. Numerous tools and resources are available to help you make informed decisions about what your children watch. Online databases, movie review websites, and parental review services offer valuable insights into a film's content, allowing you to go beyond the rating and understand the specific elements that may be concerning. These resources can save you time and effort, helping you confidently choose movies that are both entertaining and age-appropriate.

• Common Sense Media: This website provides in-depth reviews of movies, TV shows, books, and video games, focusing on their educational value, positive messages, and potential negative content. Common Sense Media offers age recommendations and detailed content breakdowns, making it an invaluable resource for parents.
• IMDb (Internet Movie Database): IMDb is a comprehensive database of movies and TV shows, offering plot summaries, cast and crew information, and user reviews. While IMDb doesn't focus specifically on content for children, it can be a helpful resource for gathering information about a film before you watch it.
• Parent Previews: This website offers detailed reviews of movies from a Christian perspective, focusing on their moral and ethical content. Parent Previews provides information about potentially objectionable material, such as violence, language, and sexuality.
• Movieguide: Similar to Parent Previews, Movieguide offers reviews of movies from a Christian perspective, focusing on their family-friendliness and moral content. Movieguide provides ratings for violence, language, and sexuality, as well as overall recommendations for different age groups.

Tips for Pre-screening and Watching Movies with Your Kids

Even with the help of ratings and reviews, pre-screening movies can be an invaluable way to ensure they're appropriate for your child. Watching a movie beforehand allows you to experience the content firsthand and identify any potentially problematic scenes or themes. This proactive approach gives you the power to make a truly informed decision. Additionally, watching movies with your children provides opportunities for discussion and guidance, helping them process the content and understand the messages being conveyed.

• Pre-screening: Whenever possible, try to watch a movie yourself before letting your child see it. This allows you to assess the content firsthand and identify any scenes or themes that may be concerning. You can fast-forward through less important scenes to save time, but be sure to watch any scenes that you suspect might be problematic.
• Watch Together: Whenever possible, watch movies with your children. This provides an opportunity for discussion and guidance, helping them process the content and understand the messages being conveyed. You can pause the movie to discuss any scenes or themes that your child may find confusing or upsetting.
• Talk About It: After watching a movie, talk to your children about what they saw. Ask them what they liked, what they didn't like, and what they learned. This is a great opportunity to discuss the movie's themes and messages and to help your child develop critical thinking skills.
• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries about the types of movies your children are allowed to watch. This will help them understand your expectations and make informed decisions about their viewing choices.

Movies to Avoid: Examples and Explanations

While every child is different, some movies are generally considered unsuitable for younger viewers due to their intense content or mature themes. Identifying specific examples can provide a clearer understanding of the types of films to avoid. Movies with excessive violence, graphic horror, or complex themes like war or social injustice are often best left for older audiences. By understanding why these movies are problematic, parents can be more equipped to make wise choices.

• Horror Films (e.g., The Exorcist, Hereditary): These movies often contain graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and intense suspense that can be traumatizing for children. The themes of possession, evil, and death are also too complex for young viewers to understand.
• Intense Action Films (e.g., Rambo, The Terminator): While action movies can be entertaining, many feature excessive violence, gunfights, and explosions. The level of realism in these films can be frightening for children, and the glorification of violence may be harmful.
• Movies with Mature Themes (e.g., Schindler's List, The Pianist): Movies that deal with complex or sensitive topics such as the Holocaust, war, or social injustice may be too difficult for children to process. These themes can evoke strong emotions and may require parental guidance and discussion.
• Animated Films with Dark Content (e.g., Coraline, The Secret of NIMH): While these movies are animated, they contain frightening imagery, suspenseful situations, and mature themes that may be too intense for young children.

The Importance of Open Communication

Ultimately, open communication with your children is the most important tool in navigating the world of movies. Talking about movies, their themes, and their impact can help children develop critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence. Creating a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings about what they've seen allows you to address any concerns or misunderstandings and reinforce your values. By fostering open dialogue, you can turn movie-watching into a valuable learning experience for your children.

• Encourage Questions: Encourage your children to ask questions about the movies they watch. This will help them understand the content and process their emotions.
• Share Your Values: Use movies as a springboard for discussing your values and beliefs. This will help your children develop a strong moral compass.
• Listen Empathetically: Listen to your children's thoughts and feelings about the movies they watch without judgment. This will help them feel safe and supported.
• Be a Role Model: Be mindful of the movies you watch yourself and discuss them with your children. This will show them that you take their viewing choices seriously.

Choosing movies for your children is a continuous process that requires careful consideration and open communication. By understanding movie ratings, evaluating content beyond the ratings, utilizing available resources, and engaging in meaningful conversations with your children, you can create positive and enriching viewing experiences that foster their growth and development.