Protect our children - ban advertising of horror films in public places

[KaiseyMurphy]

chng.it/G7b7gxsR2Y

Currently in Edinburgh (and I assume throughout the UK), bus stops are advertising a film called Annabelle Comes Home, which features a picture of a demonic looking doll. My four year old is terrified and refuses to walk past any bus stop which displays the poster. It's not the first time she's been traumatised by horror film advertisements at bus stops and on buses. Anyone who is involved with the care of a young child (and with standard degree of empathy) will understand that it is utterly cruel to expose young and fragile psyches to advertisements which are intended to scare much older age groups (in this case 15+).
I know I'm definitely not the only Mum who feels that advertising films with a poster that is designed to scare is unacceptable when it can be easily seen by young children: www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mums-fury-poltergeist-movie-bus-5744955
I promised my little one I would do something. Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Don't be a

YABVU.

Just smile, walk on with her, and tell her it's not real. The annabel poster isn't exactly graphic.

Is there a reason why you can't explain that it's not real and just a movie and just keep going?

Sorry but this is ridiculous. The toys in Sid's room in the first toy story movie are more terrifying that this poster of a doll. I would seriously worry about a child who was traumatised by something so trivial. It is your job as a parent to tell her it is not real, its just a picture and then move on with your day. By promising her you will do something about it you are making the poster into an issue and confirming her belief that it is something she should be afraid of.

Thanks Kaisey. Totally agree with you and for people who think you can just say, "It's not real, dear", not all children are the same. Some would laugh it off whilst others will have nightmares for months. I have 4 DC and can vouch for this. I have endured months and months of one of my DCs too scared to sleep after seeing the briefest glimpse of an ad for something similar. Who on earth could think that's ok?

You can't wrap them in cotton wool. Children will often see or hear things, I agree with pp, it's our job to show resilience and help them move on.