Dr Linda Helps - My son’s first movie was a Disney movie. At the age of four, upon several recommendations of Christian friends, I took him to see the animated movie, Aladdin. A few minutes into the feature, a giant occultic like figure rises from the underground. The dark theatre with surround sound scared even me for a minute. I covered his eyes and ears and hoped the image would soon disappear. It didn’t, so we did. That’s right, we walked out of the movie. I was not about to expose this young child to such a terrifying and violent scene.

We tried again a few years later. This time we went to see Pocahontas. If you remember, the first scene is a violent storm that almost wipes out the English boat crew traveling to the New World. Again, my son wanted to leave when the storm scene was raging. The sound, larger than life screen and acts of violence whether natural, comic or “bad guys” were more than he could handle.

Now, I preview films. Let me tell you, there aren’t many movies that are free from violence and scary occultic figures.

My son knew what researchers have known for years--media violence frightens kids. So why do filmmakers add violence to movies and rate them “G,” and why do we expose our children to them?

Harvard researchers at the School of Public Health studied 74 animated movies between the years of 1937 and 1999. They counted, categorized and typed acts of violence. They also recorded the weapons used in the movies. They concluded that a “G” rating doesn’t always reflect the content of animated movies.

And consider this, when you take a child to a movie, you are present to help them through or leave during a violent or scary scene. For example, when Scar kills Mufasa in Lion King, you can shield your child’s eyes or talk them through the horror. When kids watch these movies at home, there may be no one present to help them with violent images.  

The point of all of this is to let you know that just because it says Disney and is rated “G” doesn’t mean it isn’t going to negatively affect your child. It took me years to get over the fright of the wicked witch and her flying monkeys from the Wizard of OZ!

As a parent, ask these questions:

· Can my child handle these graphic images?

· Does the movie contain violence that is known to increase aggression, create a fearful view of the world and make children less sensitive to real life violence?

· Do I want my child exposed to such images?

· Am I downplaying the effects of continuous exposure because “everyone” lets their kids watch these animated films?

· Am I discussing these films with my kids?

· Do I preview movies?

·Do I know how my child reacts to these movies?    

As parents we need to constantly evaluate the effects of what our children are exposed to from outside sources. Then we must determine how much of that exposure we can and cannot control. Next time, you see Disney and “G” don’t assume the movie is nonviolent. Check it out for yourself before you take the kids.