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Better Movie Choices for Kids Under 12: We Need to Talk
I’ve introduced my son to a fair number of films that may not have been suitable for his age. This wasn’t how we envisioned things. From the moment he was born, my partner and I aimed to carefully regulate his screen time and be mindful of the content we exposed him to, especially regarding violence in media. We’re not overly strict; we just wanted to ensure he could comprehend what he was watching before diving into action-packed scenes.
Initially, I hesitated to share the Star Wars saga with him, thinking I’d wait until he was a bit older—maybe around 6 years old. While the violence in that galaxy isn’t particularly graphic or realistic, there’s a fair amount of it, including lightsaber duels, frequent shootouts, and even some emotional farewells (R.I.P. Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen!). It seemed wise to hold off for a while.
However, the playground chatter and spoilers from schoolmates changed my mind. There was no way I’d let a kid with a messy haircut spoil the big reveal about Luke’s dad before my son even knew who Luke was! So, I decided to show him Episode IV when he was just 4.
Back in my day, we had a wealth of live-action kids’ films, most of which were rated PG. While not every PG film was universally appropriate for children, back then the guidelines were more lenient. Movies like Gremlins, Ghostbusters, E.T., The Princess Bride, and Beetlejuice all had PG ratings, partly because PG-13 didn’t exist when some were released. It was up to parents to determine what was suitable for their families.
Fast forward to today, and PG seems to have become the new G. For my 6-year-old, G-rated films just don’t cut it anymore. Once we’ve gone through the Disney and Pixar catalog, and the animal-centric or Muppet features, the options for live-action films suitable for kids under 12 dwindle significantly.
Before we knew it, my son went from having only seen Disney classics to watching PG-13 films, simply because we had exhausted nearly all other choices. After he watched A New Hope, the rest of the original trilogy quickly followed. A few live-action flicks later, and he was ready for some of the milder superhero movies. Gradually, cartoons didn’t satisfy him anymore, leaving us in a bit of a bind.
In a few years, I’ll be able to introduce him to classics like The Karate Kid and Back to the Future—films that are great but may be a bit advanced for a 6-year-old, dealing with topics like dating, high-school challenges, and other mature themes. Until then, the selection is quite limited, which is why he’s seen more of the Marvel movies than I’d prefer, not to mention my frustration with films like Batman v. Superman that darken the superhero genre.
So here we are, forced to stretch our boundaries even further. Last night, we joked about watching something like Basic Instinct or Taxi Driver (just kidding!), but the reality is I’d never let my son see those films. I can barely handle his questions about Superman, let alone explaining anything beyond that.
At this point, Hollywood needs to step up and create fresh content for those in the PG demographic, or else my son will end up watching movies that are clearly too mature for him. I can’t keep rewatching the same films on repeat—otherwise, my home might start feeling like the Overlook Hotel!
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In summary, we need more engaging and appropriate movie options for kids under 12. The current landscape leaves parents with limited and often unsuitable choices. As we navigate these challenges, it’s essential to advocate for better content to keep our children entertained and informed.