IS HORROR HARMFUL TO YOUNG CHILDREN?

A CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT

In this recent RNZ article, Sanitising children's books, Jenny Nagle, director of Auckland-based children's publisher OneTree House, comments on the heated debate on this controversial subject. It flared up, again, last year when edited versions of Roald Dahl's books were released in an attempt to make them more suitable for today's young readers. Her view: "All art forms are of their time. Really, it does a disservice to our readers, to the children, to try and back-pedal and try and change history." 

Emma Kenny is a psychologist, TV presenter, writer and expert media commentator. She is recognised as one of the UK’s leading TV psychological experts. Kenny shares the opinion of many other childhood psychologists on the subject of horror. 

"Children are often being wrapped up in cotton wool,” says Kenny. “Risk and fear are something we need in childhood. We know that people who take risks, in the long term, do better than those who don’t … And how can you feel safe and secure until you know what it’s like to be afraid? Anything that gives you a wide range of emotions in a safe and controlled environment is great." 

Read the full article from The Guardian here.