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We Desperately Need Improved Movie Selections for Kids Under 12
I’ve introduced my son to a number of films that might not be the best fit for his age. This wasn’t my original intention!
When our son was born, my partner and I agreed to limit his screen time and be selective about what we let him watch, fully aware of the violent content that often inundates media. We’re not prudes; we just wanted to ensure he was mature enough to grasp the context before witnessing any on-screen mayhem.
So, I hesitated to share the Star Wars saga with him at first, thinking I’d hold off until he was older—maybe around 6. Sure, the galactic battles aren’t gory or extremely realistic, but there’s enough action with lightsaber duels, blaster fire, and some poignant moments (sorry, Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen!). It felt like the sensible choice at the time.
That was until he started hearing spoilers from friends at school and on the playground. I wasn’t about to let a kid with messy hair ruin the surprise of who Luke’s father was! So, I caved and introduced him to Episode IV when he was just 4.
Growing up, we had a solid selection of live-action kids’ movies, most of which were rated PG. While not all PG films were suitable for every child, the standards back then were more relaxed. Movies like Gremlins, Ghostbusters, E.T., The Princess Bride, and Beetlejuice were all PG (because the PG-13 rating hadn’t even been introduced yet), leaving the decision up to parents to determine what was right for their families.
Fast forward to today, and PG has practically become the new G. G-rated films just aren’t enough for my 6-year-old anymore. Once we’ve gone through the Disney and Pixar catalogs and the animal-centric films, we quickly run out of options for kids under 12. I went from having a child who had only seen Disney classics to navigating the waters of PG-13 films simply because there’s a lack of content in his so-called age range.
After he watched A New Hope, it wasn’t long before we tackled the rest of the original trilogy. And once he dipped his toes into a few live-action films, he was soon ready for some of the lighter superhero movies. The more he watched, the less engaging cartoons became. Before we knew it, we were out of choices.
In a few years, I can introduce him to classics like The Karate Kid or Back to the Future, films that aren’t inappropriate but might be too nuanced for a 6-year-old, dealing with themes he can’t quite grasp yet (high school drama, crushes, and existential dilemmas). Until then, I’m left with limited options, which is why my son has seen more Marvel movies than I’d like to admit. It’s also why I feel a twinge of frustration when films like Batman v. Superman come out, turning vibrant superheroes into angst-ridden characters.
So, here we are, pushing the boundaries even further. Last night we watched Silence of the Lambs! (Just kidding, we watched The Godfather.) (Just kidding again, we opted for The Shining.) (Okay, just kidding again; it was actually Cars 2.) All jokes aside, I would never let my son watch those adult films. I can barely handle explaining the complexities of Superman, let alone trying to unpack the themes of a film like that!
Hollywood really needs to step up and deliver fresh material aimed at the former PG crowd, or else my son will be stuck watching movies that are too mature for him. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck on repeat, and soon our house might resemble the Overlook Hotel. Oh, wait, that’s an option… Just kidding!
This article was originally published on Feb. 11, 2017. If you’re interested in more about family and parenting, check out this post for insightful tips.
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In summary, we need more diverse and age-appropriate movie choices for kids under 12. As parents, we want to provide entertainment that is engaging and suitable for their maturity level. The current offerings feel limited, pushing us to explore options that may be too advanced for younger audiences.