Is This Movie Appropriate for Your Child?

   

Our 7-year-old son recently expressed interest in seeing a movie that was rated PG. While we would ideally prefer a movie that is rated for everyone, we understand that he is growing up. We also recognize that sometimes movies can be a good catalyst to discuss life events that stem from themes in a film. When it comes to a movie that is not rated G for young children, we as parents, want to know details so that we can make a judgement call as to whether or not it would be appropriate. Every child is different, and processes various subject matter in their own individual way. Therefor, you may have to consider a variety of factors if more than one child might be viewing the film, along with whether or not it conforms with your family values and what you are comfortable exposing your child to.  

Assuming it is eventually one we'd let him watch, we also might want to have dialogue about certain subjects ahead of time so that he is prepared for what he may see during the feature. While you could always screen the movie yourself for suitability, it's not always that easy if it's a movie that is currently playing in the theatres. Nor do people necessarily have the time or budget for that. 

If you're struggling with this as well, here are some ideas to help you determine appropriateness for your child(ren): 

Use social media to your advantage. Ask your Facebook friends, or join a Facebook parenting group. You'll find a wealth of knowledge & information there at your fingertips. Poll members to see if they've seen the movie, and what their take on it was. This can help towards you getting a well-rounded opinion of the content. While you might not always feel the way they do, you will usually get a number of varying opinions, giving you insight you would otherwise not have.  You can also take the opportunity to ask specific questions about any potential areas of concerns.

Alternatively, you can search for websites such as those below, which offer movie reviews typically from a parent's perspective:

• BoxOfficeMom.com 
• ParentPreviews.com
• KidsInMind.com
• CommonSenseMedia.org

Don't forget to pay attention to the actual rating's fine print. It usually justifies the reasons for the assigned classification. Bear in mind though, that just because your child is the age that coincides with the rating, doesn't guarantee its suitability. If you have a particularly sensitive child, or one who's had trauma, then it would be especially important to determine suitability.  

For a breakdown on all the ratings and what they mean in general terms, please visit The Motion Picture Association of Canada. For those of you in the U.S., please refer to FilmRatings.com. 

All of this information can help you come to an educated decision on whether or not you feel your child could handle any given film, and whether or not it is a fit for your family as a whole.

Happy viewing! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post. *****