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How Does Scary Content Affects Children

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Our children are like sponges in that they absorb everything they see and hear. With Halloween upon us, there are movies, shows, commercials, and here lately, even the daily news can be frightening. It is so important to monitor what your children are watching and hearing. If they have already seen something scary or violent on TV or the internet, please talk with them about it. As much as possible, avoid watching, playing, or listening to violent content when young children are around.
These are just some of the ways exposure to violent or scary content affects children:
Children begin to fear that their environment is a scary place and that something bad may happen to them or their loved ones. I have worked with quite a few children who …show more content…

Children may have nightmares or trouble sleeping. As your school counselor, I have visited with many children who report having nightmares or intrusive thoughts. Many times these thoughts are related to characters in scary movies or violent video games.
Children exhibit aggression and other behavior problems. In the movies, "good guys" defeat the "bad guys" through acts of violence. Children love to act out what they see on TV. In everyday life, violence does not solve problems.
Children display risky behaviors. The characters in these shows or movies seem to recover from violent attacks or dangerous behaviors.
Children are confused about fantasy vs. reality. The characters and events in scary movies may seem silly or unrealistic to us, but children have a hard time differentiating what is real and what is not.
Children become anxious or stressed. We have had children become physically ill due to content they have seen or heard that frightens them.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents place consistent limits on media exposure, and using media in positive ways such as educational games or shows. You can do this

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