Would you let a 12 year old watch an 18 horror film ?

[Xaccers]

I was 5 when I saw Alien, now that's a great film, not very scary though.
For me to allow my children to see films which are rated above them, it would depend on how neurotic my kids had grown up to be.
Hopefully like me, they'd know that films aren't real and would be able to enjoy them without having nightmares.

[Halcyon]

I do think that some horror films are plainly ridiculous and funny but others can play mind altering tracks on young people and you can seriosuly get your head messed up as some scenes can be quite shocking in certain movies.

[kronas]

i stay away from scarey movies i dont see the point in them really, ill watch any film but it has to have a good storyline, i mean horror movies are really bad these days arent they ?

[basa]

As the parent of one 9 year old and one 12 year old we usually allow ours to watch 18 movies but ask them to look away if we feel there is going to be gratuitous violence aka severed limbs, stabbings etc. We also tend to feel uncomfortable about blant sex acts as well !!

However we do feel they both understand the difference between films and real life and it does give them an insight into what people do and can do to one another. After all the news often contains far more horrific sights and that is real which is more disturbing.

[TheBlueRaja]

I think its amazing how many people have said they remember watching Alien as a kid though - which kinda is my point - perhaps sometimes an 18 movie which is really scary can have a positive effect.

Although i can imaging some kids freaking out - so i suppose it depends on your kid as to whether they should be allowed to watch.