Help them understand the difference between what they see on the screen and what happens or is acceptable in reality. Talk to them about the content ahead of time. I can tell you what will cause Harm-restricting a 17-year-old to watching only shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! So, as your child gets older, gradually pull back on restrictions. We do know that, as our kids get older, we have to back off.Haven't we all done a version of this when we cover our eyes during some parts of scary films? For instance, if it is a movie/show with which you are familiar, you could strategically cover your child's eyes at certain parts or skip particular scenes. While you might like Stranger Things, I'm still concerned that the intense scenes might be too scary and disturbing for your age." This doesn't mean that your child will agree with you or back down, but it's better than just saying, "because I said so." Part of my job as a parent is to protect you from things that might cause harm. I'm concerned that it is still a bit too intense for your age. Acknowledge his/her feelings: "Aden, I know you really want to watch Stranger Things. Talk to your child about your values, concerns, and why you set limits.The Breakfast Club and The Matrix are both rated "R," and these are much milder than the R-rated films Deadpool, Logan, and The Shining. As you know, movies/games with the same rating can be vastly different. You can also research the specific content of the movies, shows, and games to help inform your decision-making. As a rough guideline, use the MPAA and ESRB reviews."James, your little brother wants to watch Stranger Things. If your child has an older sibling, ask him or her what they think when your younger child is not around.It's easier if you have a "united front" instead of a "house divided." If you have a partner, talk to him or her to try to get on the same page. Still, harm to one's values is still a type of harm. This doesn't necessarily mean that the content would cause harm (or Harm) to our kids in the forms of recurrent nightmares or increased aggression. For example, we might not like how violence is glorified, or women are objectified. That is, we might not want our young child to play certain violent video games or watch certain violent/scary movies, because those don't align with our values as parents. There is a difference between harm to our values as parents and psychological/behavioral harm.I don't want my child to be the first in his grade to watch It, for instance. Related to the above, try not to be on the front end of the curve with regard to what your child experiences on the screen.While we don't necessarily want to use their standards, there is a type of "harm" from our kids being/feeling left out. Find out what your child's friends are really watching/playing. Does their enjoyment outweigh this type of harm? That is, they might really enjoy watching Stranger Things, but have some disturbing images flash in their heads that keep them up a little bit at night. We must weigh the enjoyment that our kids get from their screens against any harms. It's the same reason why we like to ride rollercoasters or go to haunted houses. So, some of that fear is experienced as a type of enjoyment.
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