Yes, It's Okay to Scare Your Kids!

Tips

• Do not show children and adolescents extreme horror films that are notorious for ultra-violent and disturbing scenes.
• Steer clear of suicide plot lines, as media depictions of suicide can lead to an increase in suicidal behavior.
• Avoid movies and shows that glorify a villain and their behavior.
• Do not force your kids to go through a haunted house; they must be able to fully, enthusiastically assent or consent.
• Watch out for coercion from siblings and friends.
• Ensure kids never feel a sense that they are truly in danger or alone.
• Kids have to be old enough to truly understand it's fake.
• Avoid showing scary movies on days when a child is sleep-deprived or going through a transition.
• Make sure there is an adult to supervise and help them process.
• Start slow with a 'gateway' film, such as family-friendly scary movies like Hocus Pocus or Goosebumps.
• Allow the ability to control external factors, such as reading in a public place, with lights on, or during the daytime.
• Use spoiler sites like 'Where's the Jump?' and 'Does the Dog Die?' to prepare for jump scares.
• Keep a close eye on body language for 'masking smiles' where a child might be smiling while suffering.
• Turn the intensity down by reminding them that the movie is fake or highlighting the absurdity of something.
• Be prepared to address trauma, grief, and injustice that inspired the themes of the movie.
• Ensure kids feel free to say, 'This is too much for me' and offer to watch a film in bits and pieces.
• Agree to avoid a movie or subgenre altogether if it makes the child's brain go 'Nah.'
• Remember that while horror offers therapeutic value, there is no established evidence base supporting its use for treatment of anxiety; consult a trained mental health professional.