Introduction of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

Movies are one of the most important entertainment tools worldwide. This can be backed by the billions in revenue movies generate and the billions invested in them yearly.  Movies of different genre have different effect on the viewer’s mood and attitude.  Motion pictures or movies now come on different platforms with a far wide outreach than the olden times. Movies are not limited to Cinemas or DVDs nowadays but there are different online streaming sites and short movies on youtube. With the advent of internet the entertainment landscape has changed. Let it be a plane or your car’s back seat you have an option to watch a movie on the go and entertain yourself. Movies over the years have changed and developed into many areas and branches. Science fiction, Rom-com and many other genres are there to decide from depending on the viewer’s choice. In the olden time there was not this much variety available.  

Online sites such as Netflix and other have given access of a large movie library to our home attracting viewership of all ages.  In this report we will be discussing through historical data and research the effect of the movies on the viewers with special regard to horror movies and its effect on children. Recommendations will be given based on the research and conclusion will be drawn. The purpose of the research is to bring to light and guide the parents about handling issues of horror movies and its effect on children.

Research Methodology of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

The primary data was taken from the historical data that is Literature review of the research work on the given topic. Journals were used for the purpose of research. The secondary data collection was done through the means of internet and the data available from different sources.

Effect of movies in general of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

Movies have different triggering effect on different people and it may range in emotions of sorrow to love and even anger.  People use the mediums of movies to entertain themselves. The link between mood and movies is well established (Morgan and Moylan). In the research by M & M, it was researched that whether mood induced by movie viewing affected the decision making and intention of performing certain actions. In this research it was found out that mood is greatly affected by the movie when is viewing and not only this but mood is a powerful force that affects our behavior and attitude.

The movies affect the minds of viewer and it was found that people can have conflicting moods too after watching a movie. People may experience emotions of arousal, anger and anxiety after viewing a movie depending on the preference. It was found out that depending on the age and preference people displayed behaviors based on the movies they say. It included sleepiness, anger, arousal and excitement for some (Morgan and Moylan).

Movies are for leisure time and people use the time to kill stress or divert from the worldly tensions or even just for a free time. Movies are a great tool to manipulate human mind and exploit them in means of emotions and action. The adult industry uses the mood and human mind to attract viewership and exploits the need. There is a large pool of research on the subject matter.

Effect of movies on children of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

Children are the vulnerable part of the society and are in constant phase of learning.  Children of today have far more greater access to movies and content available online. Let it be the blue whale game or viral video challenges, kids today are quick in picking up stuff. Movies and media are a great way to teach children. We all can relate to be inspired by Superman or Batman in our younger days after watching a movie or acting like Wolverine from the X men after watching the movie.  There are many examples from which we can relate ourselves when it comes to our experiences and effect of movies on our brain and mental development.

Parents have been skeptical about allowing children to view movies fearing the possible effect of it on children (Bierman, Gold and Lessay). This is mainly because few of the movies have an entertaining experience whereas some may be potentially harmful. For example the Lion king had a developmental effect on the mind of children (Bierman, Gold and Lessay). Where a recently a series aired on Netflix met criticism because of its suggestive content regarding mental health and suicide. The argument behind the criticism was suicide was being presented casually and may lead the youngsters to opt for it. Not only was this but it believed to be triggering emotions of the vulnerable. Children of today’s time are more vulnerable and require more attention. Movies greatly influence the young minds and have a lasting effect on personality.

Horror Movies of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

Horror movies have become increasingly popular over the years and the demand for the genre has risen over the years.  The moves depict the supernatural events and convey a story that may affect the thinking and beliefs of the viewer. The genre started by the end of 19^th century when short movies were made based upon the supernatural occurrences.  The genre developed from there based on stories and myths. Horror movies used special effects and sound manipulation to affect the setting of movie. The frequency of the horror movies produced has never been greater than they are today.

Modern VFX and better story lines in the IMAX or 3D setting makes the experience more real and scary for many viewers. The horror movies now are more popular than they ever were. The Conjuring franchise is a living proof of that. It is one of the first’s movie series on the horror genre based on real events and counters. People watching the series have experienced changes in their attitude and the movies have taken the viewers by a storm. Horror movies greatly affect the minds of people. Adults may experience no issues but children show ill effects. Horror movies contain blood, gore and scenes that may affect the minds of people and alter not only their emotions but beliefs too.

The effect of horror movies on children

Horror movies nowadays have become an integral part of life not just for the teen age kids but children as well. The adrenaline rush that the horror movies bring about is the highlighting factor for the movies. Children apart from emotional signs display physical symptoms of increased heart beat and rapid breathing as after effects of viewing horror movies.  Let it be any company that maybe friends or family, children displayed similar signs and the effects remain unchanged on them after viewing horror movie.  This has been a regular thing with the movies associated with the horror genre as adults display similar signs after watching the movie.

Children are in their learning stages and this time of life is the developmental phase of their life. Children tend to make ideals and role model from the movies and try to bring what they have learned from the movie to experience by action or replicating what is done in the movie. The horror movies contain subject they may greatly affect the learning process of the individual children.  The psychological effect of the horror movies doesn’t come in physical manifestation. But however it affects the mental process, values, attitudes and behavior of the children. This can alter the beliefs of the children and may result in disorders. There has been argument of whether the movies under the horror genre are harmful for children or not. Many find it not tough to realize but others have their arguments in place.

Children learn and pick easily, it is easy for them to record a certain event in their subconscious and memory.  They carry a memory for a long time and sometimes it may become a part of their personality.  In a study conducted in 1999 in the USA, it was revealed that one out of four students had developed a phobia. The participants told that they experienced lingering effects of a frightful movie experience from childhood. The effects ranged from sleeplessness to avoid of situations portrayed in those movies (Degrot). Apart from this the research showed children hallucinated and showed physical symptoms of distress and uncomforting behavior.  When  children  watch  horror  movies,  the  horrific  scenes  keep  replaying  in  their  mind  and  it  alters  how  their   feelings and emotions  (Victoria advocate).

Many children worry about stuff that doesn’t exist and they base their perception of life on these events. They imagine themselves as the weak child whom the demon in the movie is after.  They have their fears developed and are scared for the rest of their lives in most cases. Many children fear the boogey man at night, the monsters under the bed or the man in the closet. Many believe that they don’t exist and they are right about it but they develop fear and when the lights turn off they are scared of the unknown fear.

Children show poor performance in class and are scared by certain voices or trigger events. They display restlessness and demand an adult oversight to ensure their safety.

Horror movies aim to produce realist effect on the viewers to make the experience more real and convincing. They have been able to do this convincingly but it has affected the children badly.  Children experience the following after viewing a horror movie (Villani):

·         Abnormal heart rate

·         Sweating

·         Rapid breathing

·         Sleeplessness

·         Imagining presence of paranormal

·         Phobia and fears (for example clown)

·         Scared of voices and events

·         Alteration of how mind reacts

·         Anxiety

·         Depression

·         Less confidence

·         Weaker belief system

The above stated are just a tip of the iceberg but what goes deep down is what the child grows into when he is an adult. The child will be less confident and scared more of things that do not seize to exist. It might seem funny to see a child getting scared of stuff that doesn’t exist but it creates emotions of distress and distrust in a child. The children tend to isolate themselves and have fears developing in the mind that will cause troubles in the future.

Research shows that children who have developed fears and trauma for a bad experience from the horror movies show poor academic performance and are less social. These children are less confident and do not fit into the society. This is about the effect of children on their mental health and personality but few effects can be violent behavior and moral crisis. Many children view the demonic personality as the bad one and the one to be shunned but few find the powers of the demonic presence overwhelming and want the same powers. This affects their pursuit of life and they want to be on path of devil (winter). Children who get inspired by the devil display violent behavior and anger in most cases. Parents do not realize the ill effect of these movies and continue to put their child at stake for mere entertainment.

Analysis of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

There has been enough research that show how children are adversely affected by the horror movies. The research also showed the lasting effects of these movies on the personality of the children. Horror movies do not affect this much the mature people of the society as they have their beliefs made and can differentiate fiction from reality due to experience. The children on the other hand carry no experience and get hooked on to fiction believing it to be real. Children find it hard and form a perception basing horror on reality. The horror movies develop poor perception in mind of children instilling them with anxiety and fear. This is normal when we see children wanting the lights on and being scared of dark.  It is commonly increasing to see the young teenagers have developed different phobias and despite the abundance of Information technology they are scared of super natural.

One of the worrisome trends that are shown by children is that they believe in what does not exist. We do not realize but this effect the society in the longer run when the younger generation has based its belief on something that doesn’t exist and is scared of power that it thinks can overpower them. Horror movies have corrupted the minds of the children by making them fearful of the real world. Children try to find the resemblance of movie in the reality and they start believing in others as demons that may harm them. Parents witnessed their children having night mares and screaming at night after they had watched a horror movie. A fair analysis and the factual check reflect the harms done by horror movie to children.

Recommendations of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

There are many things that can act as an alternate for children than horror movies which can be more entertaining and have a good effect on the mental health of children. Few of the recommendations for parents for the children are:

1.      Alternate source of entertainment that can be outdoor activities:
Movies or digital viewing of movies result in poor eye sight and lack of creativity in children. Parents should provide alternate sources to their children and take them to park.

2.      Informational and entertaining movies for children so they can learn good and bad:

Children should not be subjected to horror and scary stuff but informational stuff out there that adds value to their knowledge. Science fiction movies despite being fiction add to the creative mind of children

3.      Help them understand the real and fiction:
This is one of the most important points that should be considered. Children should be taught the difference between the real and fiction as it will help them in future too.

4.      Narrate them scary stories and caution them its fake:
The ill effects of horror movies should not mean that children should be kept away from them but instead should be trained to be able to enjoy the movie. Parents should narrate horror stories in a way that make them fell less scary and in way that makes it clear that they are fake and not real. So when the children watch a scary movie they can tell a difference between the real and fake.

The above stated are the recommendations for precautionary recommendations for parents but there are children who are suffering from the symptoms and after effects of the horror movies. It is recommended to parents to notice any change of behavior and be open to address the concerns of their children. Professional help of psychologists and psychiatrists should be taken for well-being of the children. Children should be provided sessions to recover and reality should be brought on light.

Apart from this there should be responsible parenting. Young children should not be allowed to watch such movies that may affect their mental health and cinemas should also check that young children do not watch such movies.

Conclusion on The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

Horror movies are harmful for young audience and they affect the children in a bad way. Children should be barred from watching horror movies for their betterment. Not only the horror movies have effect on mental health but also physical symptoms such as higher blood pressure, adrenaline rush and loss of breath. Anxiety and fear are two aggravated emotions as a result of watching horror movies. Children tend to be more scared and experience an altered belief system due to projections in the horror movie. The personality of children is greatly affected due to the horror movie.

Adults who have had a frightful experience due to viewing of horror movie in the childhood showed distress and avoided sleep to not encounter the supernatural power.To conclude the easy, it is advised to work on the recommendations, horror movies are harmful and there is very less room for debate. Responsible behavior of the young can help save the children from such mental abuse. Children should not be left vulnerable to the harms of horror movies in the young age.

References of The Effect of Horror Movies on Children

1.      Winter, B. “Horror Movies and the Cognitive Ecology of Primary Metaphors, Metaphor and    Symbol”.(2014): 151-170

2.      Bierman, J, A Gold and R Lessay. "Effect of movies on children's emotional health." Md Med    Journal (1996): 218-221.

3.      Degrot, Bernie. "Scary movies can have lasting effects on children and teens." 1999.

4.      Morgan, J and S Moylan. "After the movies: transient mood and social judgments." Social Psychology Bulletin 13 (1987): 466-477.

5.      Villani, Sussan. "Impact of Media on Children and Adolescents: A 10-Year Review of the Research." Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2011): 392-401.