The Media and My Little Monkeys #4

As a family we love watching films. It’s really nice when there are five minutes in our busy lives for some downtime in front of a family movie.

There are many ways to watch films now; going to the cinema, on DVD, Blu-ray, internet connected televisions, computers, or even the fading video tapes. However you watch them, there are things you have to consider before letting your children view them, and that is content and what the recommended film rating is eg. U, PG, 12, 12A, 15 or 18.

With the eldest of my little ones being six, I let them all watch a U rated films, knowing that its contents should be age appropriate for them. I am confident enough that if I decide to go and make a cup of tea that nothing too scary or confusing will happen whist I’m out of the room. I also let them watch PG films, as long as I know what the film is about and have made sure that it wont be harmful to them, although I’m more likely to pause the film – if its a PG – before leaving the room, just in case.

12 and 12A rated films can, in some cases, be debatable. For a majority of the time I would say no, but there may be a few exceptions – for example, the ‘Harry Potter’ films. I, personally, allow my eldest to watch them – mainly because I have seen it already, know its content, and know my own child. Although only six, he is very bright and imaginative. I always make sure I’m there, ready to explain, if needed, when the ‘scary bits’ are on. The youngest monkeys don’t watch Harry Potter, so I use this time to spend some one-to one-time with the eldest, and we often discuss what’s going on in the film.

When it comes to 15 and 18 rated films it’s a blanket – with no exceptions. When the film ratings are that high it’s for good reason. They would be exposed to sex, violence, drug abuse and disturbing images – not things you want your small children to see.

I think it is important to look at the film ratings, but it’s also up to me as a parent to make the final overall decision. For example, there are some U certified films that I do not want my children to see until they are a little bit older. because i feel that some of the ‘scary bits’ will be too scary for them. I, myself, think that some 12 rated films should be a 15, and the same with 18′s. Usually it’s because of the subject matter, or violence.

There’s plenty of time for children to watch 15′s and 18′s when they reach the appropriate age, so, until then let them be children and watch child-orientated films, or perhaps revisit some of your old family films (some of which may have been re-released eg. The Lion King).

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