“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.
“Exposure to scary movies – in an age-appropriate fashion in which the child has control – can be a healthy way for some kids to learn to navigate associated fears,” Storch said. Also, a little bit of fear is healthy for children and adults alike.
The enjoyment that some people get from fear is likely not from fear itself. Instead, thrills stem from “the physical and emotional release that follows scary situations,” according to Seeker, a division of Discovery. For some horror fans, the desire to feel fear is a manifestation of an adrenaline-seeking personality.
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.
According to science findings, people may seek out horror movies for all sorts of reasons, such as triggering chemicals in their brains, to help them plan for worst case scenarios, or to practice coping strategies and control.
It is unclear whether it is the opiate/endorphin response or the need for traumatized people to rework their original trauma—or both—that explains why a subset of people who have PTSD seek out scary entertainment.
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.
“When kids are exposed to excessively scary movies, images, or even haunted houses, they tend to have some of the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Dr. Scanlon explained. The phenomenon of being scared is an experience that all humans can relate to, according to Dr. Scanlon.
What are the long-term effects of horror movies on children?
Toddlers and young children who watch violent movies, including Halloween horror films, television shows or video games may be more likely to develop anxiety, sleep disorders, and aggressive and self-endangering behaviors.
Keep in mind, children are more likely to experience long-term fears after a scary movie if: 1) they are younger, 2) they see graphic depictions of blood and injury, and 3) they did not want to see the movie, but went along because someone else wanted to see it.
But, to answer professionally, no. There's no red flags when someone says they love horror movies. Horror movies are amazing and can have stunning effects and a great plot.
In fact, movies can be used to help those with anxiety get better and live a fuller, healthier life. For those suffering from anxiety, it can sometimes feel like there is no way out. Perhaps this is why many struggling with anxiety disorder look to escape their troubles with distractions like horror movies.
It is no secret that watching horror films can have an impact on one's mental health. They can arouse feelings of discomfort and even trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which alters the brain's chemistry (Sultana, 2021, p.
Dry recommends not introducing them to very young children because of the potential to create long-term anxiety. Around age 4, kids are figuring out how to manage fears that naturally develop in childhood, and layering scary movies on top of that could be overwhelming.
“The usual age for the target audience of a horror film is 15- 25. The most common reason for this is that young adults and teenagers enjoy thrills. These thrills are more likely to excite a younger audience rather than an older one.”
Sometimes these words point to a major problem that requires intervention, but often, they are the words of a child who is heated with emotions or who does not truly understand the meaning of the words they are saying. In any case, here is a good mantra to remember for these moments: Stay calm.
Ultimately, horror is addictive because it is exciting. The build-up and impact tends to be greater than any other genre and it responds much more to human nature than anything else. It's fun to be scared, to push yourself, and to sometimes have something you are told you can't have.”
Although horror movies may positively impact mental health, it's vital to be cautious while using them as a “coping” tool. In some cases, they may cause more harm than good: Horror movies can negatively affect sensitive people and people with mental health problems, increasing stress, anxiety, panic, and depression.
“Fear” is an essential element in horror genre, which is why we consistently crave the adrenaline rush in scary films. Neuroscientists, psychologists, and filmmakers constantly study viewers' fear responses to see which techniques can terrify audiences.
What to do when your child watched something scary?
In these cases, experts advise initiating honest and emotional conversations with children about their fears. “Empathizing is always the first place we start, that it really scared (them) to see that, so we're not going to make fun of the kid.
Children and teens with PTSD feel a lot of emotional and physical distress when exposed to situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Some may relive the trauma over and over again. They may have nightmares and disturbing memories during the day.
How do you help a child after watching a scary movie?
Acknowledging their point of view and offering a quick fix (“You're right, that was a little scary. We can turn it off and come back to it later if you want!”) lets them know you're on their side.
Is it wrong for Christians to watch horror movies?
Conclusion. All that to say, I don't see evidence in Scripture that it is outright sinful for Christians to watch horror movies. However, before students rush to watch the next scary movie they can find, we must remember that just because something is permissible does not make it beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23).
What does the Bible say about watching horror movies?
Thus, breaking down horror to its genre standard – that it is a thriller with more blood – horror is no more sinfully restricted by its own genre characteristics than any other genre. … unless that Christian would be doing so against their own or their fellow Christian's conscience (1 Corinthians 8; Romans 14).
In general, though, Analysts' combination of Intuitive Energy and Thinking Nature is ideal for enjoying scary movies. Intuitive personality types love to look for hidden meaning and tend to let their imagination run wild, and horror films stimulate those impulses in a way no other genre can.
