what do you think about letting a 8yo and a 7yo watch a 15 cert film?

[bunnyhunny]

we were over our family's over the holidays, and their children were allowed to watch a 15 certificate film which had gory violence and sex scenes in.

I was a bit that the parents didnt bat an eyelid, but I am beginning to think I may be a bit prudish about these things! I felt very odd sitting in the same room as a 8yr old and 7yo watching a lady writhing about with her boobs barely concealed, and men being slaughtered...

When did you let your kids watch these sorts of films?

Even the news can upset my 2.9 year old, so we turn it off. Any violence at the momnet - he asks why is that man doing that etc.

Children can be so perceptive. I want to shield mine for as long as I can. SO no to Robin Hood and Stuff till older

I honestly don't see why it depends on the child .. there are different reasons for certification which include violence, sex, language ..just because a film is not violent nor sexual does not mean it is appropriate for young children

once again a couple of years leeway can take account of differing maturity levels in line with parents' perspective of what child is capable of if it must and I will accept that argument I suppose (although can't see myself doing it with my children) ... but not more IMHO

I wouldn't let a 10/11 year old watch a 15 film. I wouldn't let my 15 year old watch an 18 certificate, I was very cross when a friend lent him one and made him give it back. I would agree that you can have a bit of leeway if approaching the age,depending on the film and the child but not to the extent of letting an under 12 watch adult films. I avoid 18 certificates myself,on the whole, as it is an indication that it will have too much sex or violence for me.

I have let my then 10 year old watch billy elliot [tongue sticking out emiticon to twig}

I wouldn't let a child under 12 watch a 15 cert film and even then it would depend on the maturity of the child and the content of the film. I say 12 as 15 films in UK are 12 in most of Europe and 18 is 15.

I think it depends on the film and the child tbh.

Neither of mine have watched a 15 film (they are 11 and 7). They have watched some 12 films, but only sitting with us, and on DVD, often in 'segments' over a series of days (which is less overwhelming I think)

I think no. Just because 7 and 8 is so far away from 15.

My children are 6, 5 and 3 so they only watch U or PG films.

Some 12s (12a) I think are fine for younger children such as the spiderman/ Harry potter/ Pirates of the Caribbean but only if they are not of a nervous disposition.

We didn't take our 8 year old to see King Kong as she was a bit of a scaredy cat and didn't want to have to take her out half way.

What cert is POTC? My friend has let her 4 yr old watch it - I was very shocked I have to say.

We started to watch King Kong with the kids, but turned it off as it was too much for them

I wouldn't let a five year old watch Dirty Dancing - it's largely about sex, pregnancy and abortion.

My 4yo has seen POTC. And my 10yo has seen King Kong (no idea what cert it is). They're fine, not remotely scared. They both like Jurassic Park too.

I wouldn't let them watch Casualty or Eastenders though (not that I watch either of them), I dislike that kind of 'normalised' violence and aggression whereas I think some films for some children are fine, it depends on the film and the child.

And it's the Kite Runner centred on a scene of the anal rape of a child?????

It would depend on the film - I don't think I really have a big problem with swearing eg in 4 weddings and a funeral type film, if that was the only reason it was being given a high cert

sex again would depend on the content and context - don't have problem with children seeing full nudity myself, but some films with lower ratings are quite suggestive in a nasty, sleazy kind of way which I wouldn't want my child to see particularly

violence I don't personally like at all. I feel uncomfortable at how much comedy violence is in modern chidren's films - even U films at times. The older action films are often very in your face violent and IMO plain nasty. It always freaks me out why violence is seen as a fine thing for young people to be watching whereas swearing and sex is totally unacceptable. What is going on there?

POTC/ King Kong films are 12a. Have no problem with these but Austin Powers gold finger was also a 12a and there is no way I would let my 11 year old see this.

I wouldn't, no. Unless I'd already seen the film and thought it was ok.

i remember watching bad girls on tv when i was 10. i now have the dvd boxset which is a 15/18.

PandL - we saw Gremlins recently - I was really surprised to see that it was a 15 and kept waiting for the shocking bits, but it seemed really tame to me. We let 6 and 8 yr old watch it

( there was a brief mention of Santa Claus not being real - maybe that was the reason for the censor)

Friends of mine let their 7yr old watch "Hot Fuzz" and then wondered why he couldn't sleep for the next week.
Thats a 15 and quite gory.

No way would I let either of mine watch Hot Fuzz. It's definitely an adult film.

I wasn't allowed to wath Gremlins when it came out - I was 12 or 13 at the time. I was the only person in my class not to see it.

And gure what - went to collect DS's from my mothers a while ago and they were watching Gremins.

To be honest I don't think my 6 year old would enjoy 15 film. The story would be over his head.

Presonally I think film certs are there for a reason. Sometime psychological affect are shown straight away.

I admit I let my son watch the odd PG, if I have already watched the film. Otherwise its limited to U.

Its interesting about films, though. I have taken my dd since the age of 3/4 to see all manner of art exhibitions