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Original poster

To not let DD11 watch Stranger Things?

24 replies

Iamclearlyamug · 11/10/2023 11:30

As above really. DD (12 in December) is really nagging me to let her watch stranger things. She wants to watch the series released so far so that when the new season comes out she'll be up to date.

Now I have watched all the series and enjoyed them very much but I DID find them scary at times and I think it's too much. My OH (DDs stepdad) thinks she'll be fine and I'm overreacting. DD says all her friends have seen it.

Am I overreacting?

OP posts:
lilyblue5 · 11/10/2023 11:33

Far far too scary for 11. I’m with you OP.
Vecna gave me nightmares…

Givemepeas · 11/10/2023 11:35

Too young. My 13 year old hasn’t been allowed to watch it. It’s gruesome.

The ‘but all my friends have’ … is pretty standard for anything from a tv show they want to watch to clothing they want to getting a certain phone etc
IGNORE! When you talk to parents you find out their kids aren’t gaming all day, watching 18s and going to all night raves as claimed by children!

Coughingdodger · 11/10/2023 11:35

Why not watch it with her? Then you can judge how she’s taking it and it’ll be a good bonding exercise. Season one is tamer than the later seasons so you could start from there and see how you go.

The later seasons are quite frightening and extremely gory. BUT there are strong and likeable characters, including female characters, who value friendship and family. The gore is clearly fictional - creatures from other worlds etc, (with the exception of some scenes set in a Russian prison). There is no sex, thank goodness, as my 11 and 12 yr old DC would have felt uncomfortable with that.

Lilova · 11/10/2023 11:37

I don't think it's actually a scary series, to me anyway, it's not like a horror film. I watched a few 15 rated horror films that did scare me when I was 12/13, but ST wouldn't have done. I don't know what age I would allow it, maybe 12/13, not 11, but really it depends how easily she scared. There are some sexual references and swearing in it too, but at 12ish that should be fine

Anoisagusaris · 11/10/2023 11:38

My 12 year old loved it, and wasn’t scared. I think it depends on the child. Some are very easily scared, others can see it as fiction and make believe. And as a pp said, there are some great role models and messages in it.

MrsSkylerWhite · 11/10/2023 11:39

I think you’re absolutely right.

Graciebobcat · 11/10/2023 11:42

DD1 at that age wouldn't have wanted to watch it and was more easily scared. DD2 on the other hand always loved stuff like that from age 11 or so- or child versions of horror before that (Coraline in particular). I watched S1 with her (it came out when she was that age), she loved it and didn't find it disturbing. I did, but that's another matter! I also thought it was pretty good.

BarborousBarbra · 11/10/2023 11:42

At that age, I, and many of my friends, were watching things like The X-Files and loving every second, whereas my sister would have been scared witless. I think it depends on the child really, I don't thing Stranger Things is particularly scary really.

ShinyBandana · 11/10/2023 11:42

We watched each season starting when my DS1 was 11. It was ‘our thing’ and we loved it. I think it’s dramatic and scary in a fairy tale/fable/fantasy sense and I knew DS1 would love it. DS2 is more sensitive and although I’ve offered to watch it together he doesn’t want to and that’s fine.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 11/10/2023 11:44

We didn't let our 12yo watch it alone, but after much discussion her dad watched it with her and it was completely fine. They enjoyed it together, they could talk through anything mildly edgy, and she wasn't scared or upset by any of it. A parent being there is often a good compromise for this kind of thing.

Goneroundthetwist · 11/10/2023 11:44

Yes, you are overreacting!

Graciebobcat · 11/10/2023 11:44

DD1 actually did watch and read The Hunger Games (just the first film I think was out then) though when she was that age come to think of it. I watched and read it with her and we talked about the issues it covers. I read the books ahead first myself too.

Stressedmum12345 · 11/10/2023 11:45

My stepdaughter watched it at 10, she’s now almost 12 and still absolutely loves it. I think it depends on how sensitive your child is. DSD loves horror and it doesn’t bother her, but on the other hand I don’t think I’d have coped with scary movies at her age the way she does!

TheChosenTwo · 11/10/2023 11:46

Dh and the youngest (11) just watched the first series and he said he’d wait until next year to watch the second. Youngest is 12 next month.
dh watched all series with the dds and said it got scarier so if they watch one a year he’ll grow with it!
Ive not seen any of them so can’t really comment but Dh was happy with his decision.

OTM1982 · 11/10/2023 11:47

Watched it all with my 11 year old. All of us loved it and can't wait for the last season! We have T-shirts, posters, funko pops you know it for stranger things! I don't think it's particularly scary and he certainly didn't but I guess it depends on the kid!

Graciebobcat · 11/10/2023 11:47

DD2 also heavily identified with Eleven/El as her friends call her El, so it was a positive thing for her.

TheEponymousGrub · 11/10/2023 11:48

I don't think you are over reacting. Way too scary for mine at that age - and they still haven't seen it. That scene where the thing catches up with him on the baseball field...oh my god. And...poor Bob! NOoooooooo. Not for an 11 year old IMO although some of my friends might feel differently.

SweetFemaleAttitude · 11/10/2023 11:49

Depends on the child of course. If you've watched it and think your daughter would be scared, don't let her.

justplodding · 11/10/2023 11:52

I think the last season was sooooooo scary and for that reason I wont let my 10/11 year old watch it even though she is begging me.

I think the first 3 were not as scary

BooksAndHooks · 11/10/2023 11:53

I think it’s fine for a nearly 12 year old. I didn’t think it’s that scary at all. I’ve seen other 12 rated horror films that I would say are far more scary.

AgentK · 11/10/2023 11:55

My 14 year old loved it but couldn’t watch hunger games! It’s an individual thing!

BlowDryRat · 11/10/2023 11:59

I've seen a few episodes but generally leave DH to watch it on his own because I'm a scaredy cat.

My 13yo DS and 11yo DD aren't interested but several of their friends have watched it and are really into it. I'd let them watch it with DH if they wanted to, but keep an eye out for and put a pause on it if I noticed them having nightmares etc.

Squiblet · 11/10/2023 12:24

Why don't you watch the first 10-15 minutes with her and see how it goes. There's not anything really nightmarish, it's just spooky scenes and a kid disappears from an empty shed. My DS decided not to watch any more based on that.

Hygeelady · 11/10/2023 12:34

Well it's a 15 so not appropriate...

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