Home , Digital & Media Literacy , General Information , Movies , Resources for Parents

Resources for Parents - Movies

  • Tip Sheet
    Dealing With Fear and Media
    Whether it's Darth Vader, the Daleks in Doctor Who or the winged monkeys in The Wizard of Oz, most of us remember seeing something on screen that we could only watch from behind a couch or under one of our parents' coats: in fact, 90 per cent of adults report an enduring memory of having been traumatized as a child by something they saw on television or in a movie. What we may not remember, however, is how serious and persistent the effects of these frightening moments and images can be. As we guide our children through their media experiences, it's important to realize that what they see can lead to problems like vivid nightmares, fear of the dark, having trouble sleeping and refusing to sleep alone. 
  • Tip Sheet
    Managing Movies and Videos in the Home
    If you're worried that a film might not be suitable for your kids, preview it yourself. Talk to other parents who've seen it, read newspaper reviews, or use one of the many Internet movie review sites for parents. 
  • Tip Sheet
    Managing Superhero Play - Tip Sheet
    Most young children enjoy pretend play and love to imitate action heroes. But many teachers, parents and child care workers say the influence of children's superhero TV shows or movies, can result in havoc when little fans get together.
  • Article
    Movies - The Concerns
    In this section, we examine some concerns related to the movies kids enjoy and we offer tips for talking about problematic film content such as violence and gender and racial stereotyping.
  • Tip Sheet
    Movies: Taking Action
    Advice on expressing concerns about film content to producers, distributors and advertisers, and working with other parents to find appropriate movies for kids.
  • Tip Sheet
    Promoting the Best in Movies
    Great movies can inspire and educate, as well as entertain. Show kids there's more to films than the formula movies the big studios pump out.
  • Tip Sheet
    Talking to Kids about Gender Stereotypes - Tip Sheet
    Images of men and women in the media are often based on stereotypical roles of males and females in our society. Because stereotyping can affect how children feel about themselves and how they relate to others, it's important that they learn to recognize and understand gender stereotypes in different media.
  • Tip Sheet
    Talking to Kids about Media Violence - Tip Sheet
    Talking to kids about violence in the media they consume – television, movies, video games, music and the Internet – can help them put media violence into perspective and perhaps diffuse some of its power.
  • Tip Sheet
    Talking to Kids about Racial Stereotypes - Tip Sheet
    Racial stereotypes abound on television, and children's programming is no exception. The turban-wearing bad guy, the brainy Asian, and the Black basketball whiz are just a few of the stereotypes reinforced in children's cartoons, films and TV shows.
  • Tip Sheet
    Understanding the Rating Systems
    Rating systems can be helpful when trying to choose appropriate movies, but with many different systems in use in Canada, they can also be very confusing. To help make sense of the differences, here's an overview of all the systems currently in use.

Sign up for MediaSmarts news

 

How to Support Us

Interested in supporting MediaSmarts?

Charitable Registration No. 89018 1092 RR0001

Find out how you can get involved.

Learn more

 

Follow Us