Many children and young people enjoy exploring new and exciting genres and themes in the films and TV they consume – and as they grow, the maturity of this content will likely increase with them. However, without proper supervision and safeguarding, youngsters looking for a new title to enjoy – especially in the horror genre – might get a little more than they're ready for.

The emotional and psychological impacts of viewing age-inappropriate content can be severe. It's vital for parents and educators to know how to keep the children in their care as safe as possible while young people explore new, potentially grittier or darker, pieces of media. This free guide breaks down the risks of viewing age-inappropriate content, with a particular focus on horror, and offers expert advice on how to limit youngsters’ exposure to material that might upset or disturb them. There's also an accompanying podcast version of this guide, so you can tap into this valuable guidance while you're on the go.

Sources

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-classification

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/255852/childrens-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2023.pdf

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-us/news/children-as-young-as-six-regularly-making-their-own-decisions-about-what-content-to-watch-without-help-from-mum-or-dad