DS can’t sleep after watching ‘Creeped Out’ at school, yr5.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I’m really peed off that my ds has been terrified at school watching some creepy programme just because some kid wants to watch it! Apparently they take turns but at least three kids had to leave the room and my ds went to the toilet...probably because he didn’t want to say he was scared!
Twice this week they’ve watched it!?

[MissionItsPossible]

Can you not just pull him out of the...lesson(?) (Was this in a lesson)? I have looked it up and it says it airs on CBBC so it can't be enough to warrant a complaint about it being age inappropriate.

[computationalAspects]

Year 5? Completely appropriate wrt to the content.

Without knowing the context it sounds like a waste of school time though. I've had parents ask for a days fees refunded when a teacher showed a film on the second-to-last day of term and how could I refuse?

There could be a legitimate educational reason. If a teacher went home sick and cover was unavailable then as a one-off I'd let it go.
Wet break times? We offer different activities in different rooms but one is TV / film.

Politely questioning why the children have been watching TV and telling them your son is scared is fine. Based on what you've said there's nothing to warrant a complaint.

[blahblahblah2000]

I feel your pain, my year five daughter watched 10 minutes of Stephen kings “IT” on YouTube in the school classroom and didn’t sleep well for many nights! (They we’re allowed youtube for research and the boys looked it up and showed her while the teacher was on The other side of the room).

[Nottheduchessofcambridge]

It’s age appropriate, maybe you should watch it with him to see what the problem is.

[ChangingStates]

My dd is in year 2 and apparently they've been watching it! She has been a bit creeped out by it, they have an option to not watch and do something else but she's still choosing to watch. I am going to raise that I think not appropriate at y2.

[Nottheduchessofcambridge]

Wait until someone takes Watership Down in!
My DD9 has watched Stranger Things but there’s no way I’d make her watch Watership Down!

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I’ve looked at it and I think it does look scary and don’t see how it’s appropriate to watch something when kids are asking to leave the room because of it. Don’t get me wrong I’m not going to go in all guns blazing but I think some of the stories sound like something that would creep me out!

[Winosaurus]

Is your son Morris Mitchener?

[Icantstopeatinglol]

[jessei]

It's appropriate for their age. Maybe your son is a little extra sensitive. Have a word with the teacher I'm sure they will understand.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

Coming from winosaurus is quite amusing.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

He is sensitive jessei, nothing I can do about that and I wouldn’t change him in any way. One of the episodes is about a family that lose their mouths? I don’t see how it’s beneficial for any kids to watch it but if they do at home that’s fine if their parents are ok with it but I would know my son wouldn’t be.

[jessei]

If the episode is 'slapstick ' they don't loose their mouths. They just do whatever their daughter tells them to. I've seen all the episodes unless I've missed the one where they loose their mouths!

[Fruitcocktail6]

I don't think a cbbc show quite compares to IT, which I wouldn't even watch.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I just read reviews to be honest and that’s one that stood out. Obviously got that one wrong.
I’m just annoyed my ds has broke his heart as he’s so scared and couldn’t sleep. The pictures of the programme look creepy enough for me.

[jessei]

Are you sure the kids at school haven't shown him something else? These episodes really are not scary. I used to watch goosebumps as a 7/8 year old and that was scary! Maybe he's been shown something worse by someone and isn't telling you.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I don’t think so, I’ll ask him again but I honestly think it’s the stories. He is really sensitive and an over thinker so I think he’s thought about it since school and then couldn’t sleep! He’s slept in my bed all night.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I remember watching The Boy from Space at school in the 80's and it giving me nightmares. It was about an albino alien boy from Space and the creepy thin man. It was part of the Look and Read series so not sure why I found it so sinister.

It's funny what fires children's imaginations and scares them. I don't think you can shield your child from everything that might trigger a frightened reaction?

[Nottheduchessofcambridge]

Well you’ll need to sit down and watch one with him then OP, if he had been shown something inappropriate I would agree with you. If he is breaking his heart over a tv show that really isn’t that scary, shown before watershed and aimed at children, then something else is going on. By going in and complaining to his teacher, you are reinforcing his emotions, you are telling him that he is right to be scared instead of talking through the reasons why he is scared.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

@ILostItInTheEarlyNineties The Boy from Space was fucking creepy, that’s why you found it so sinister! I still think about it sometimes too!

[Icantstopeatinglol]

Why would I sit him down to watch one if he doesn’t want to and he’s broke his heart about it? Surely if a kid doesn’t like something then that’s enough to say he doesn’t have to watch it. I shouldn’t have to sit him through it, upset him again and explain why he ‘shouldnt’ be scared? Isn’t that reinforcing that there’s something wrong with being scared? Surely people can’t help what they don’t like. Or should I point out that there’s something wrong with him because he’s not like everyone else who is fine with it...apart from the other 3 kids that left the room too. Some kids/adults like creepy things, others don’t. Nobody should feel forced to watch something that upsets them.

[Icantstopeatinglol]

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties I totally get that but it’s been twice this week when I thought it was a one off. We’ve watched Doctor Who together and he’s been fine with them so it’s not like he just watches cartoons all day but something about this programme has really upset him.

[User24689]

OP, I hadn't heard of this but just watched part of an episode on YouTube (bravery badge). It is age appropriate but would have really frightened me at 9 or 10. I was also a sensitive kid with a vivid imagination.

Was it part of a creative writing task or something? If just for entertainment I think an alternative activity should be offered. The whole point of the programme is to be scary so I don't understand why people are making out your son is 'over' sensitive to be scared.

[PlateOfBiscuits]

They were probably winding each other up. If you watch it with him in a really relaxed way (daytime, laughing) that might help.

Also, CBBC often do ‘behind the scenes’ episodes of lots of their shows. Look out for a ‘behind the scenes of creeped out’ and definitely watch that together when it airs.

[Locotion]

We found Creeped Out very scary. The music etc. DD (8) was terrified. She wouldnt watch the opening sequence with a boy in a hood or something. I think it is pretty scary!! They shouldnt show it if it is too scary for some. Sorry your son is upset OP.