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Are Horror Movies Too Scary for Kids?
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT

It's the summer of the sequel at the box office. People are rushing to the theater to see "Shrek 3," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "Spiderman 3." Scary movies are also hitting the big screen. Many of them use new technology, making the gore more graphic, more real and more accessible. So, will these movies affect kids differently?

Many of these films are restricted to older teens, with an "R" rating. But the advertisements are not. Even the commercials are enough to give small children nightmares. Experts say for some kids, the horror may be too much too soon. They also add that parents really should use the motion picture ratings. For PG-13, for example, kids under 13 shouldn't see the movie or should see it with their parents. Then later, if their child wakes up frightened, teach them it's all just acting, ketchup and special effects.

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