What is Visual Rhetoric?
In order to explore the effects of this type of media upon its viewers, it is imperative to first understand the concept of visual rhetoric. Essentially, it “refers to any communicative moment where visuals contribute to making meaning and displaying information” (Cohn 21).
What Are Horror Films?
A specific form of violent entertainment that society seeks out is horror films. This category of filmmaking has evolved tremendously at a rapid pace. Now, most films within this genre include graphic violence, gore, and pornography. As stated by experts, within the “century of horror film making and entertainment,” “the amount of violence and blood and gore has increased and has steadily been depicted with more detail and realism,” which in turn, creates children’s unrealistic expectations and viewpoints of the world (Martin, Shaiymkulova). Therefore, it is plausible to state that there is certainly a great effect upon society, specifically negative consequences for children, from viewing this type of content.
Its Relation To Children
As this form of media is easily accessible, many individuals are viewing this harmful behavior at such a young age. Typically, the youth is the majority population that consumes this type of content the most, as “individuals tend to prefer horror less as they age” (Martin). These individuals experience a thrill sensation, which causes them to seek out these topics more. It is fairly concerning that children tend to be the audience for such mature adult content.
Effects of Horror Movies
Within the horror genre, it is seen that there can be “potentially harmful psychological consequences of exposure to frightening stimuli” (Martin).
For Example:
With the increasingly more graphic portrayals of violence, children can “experience negative effects of trouble falling asleep, nightmares, fear of the dark, anxiety, increased feelings of vulnerability and increased concerns about possible…dangers that can befall them.”
Some symptoms include, but are not limited to, aggression, violence, anxiety, phobias, and sleep disturbances.
Moreover, it is important to note that “one in four students (25%) experienced such ‘lingering effects’ a year or even years after viewing the disturbing movie” (Shaiymkulova). This further reiterates the notion that consuming this type of media has an extreme impact upon its viewers and the effects of the films can be long-lasting and greatly alter one’s daily life.
What Is The Solution?
This phenomenon yearns for a solution to whether children can differentiate reality from fantasy within the film and in real life. The realism and attractive nature of these films reveal an unsettling danger behind visual culture. It has been surveyed that the majority of parents agree that children 15+ is the age at which children should be allowed to watch horror content. Essentially, the constant exposure to this type of media, therefore, desensitizes all to the uncensored gore and violence that is portrayed in horror films and presents a need to create more boundaries within media and shows the importance of censorship for impressionable children.
Parents can work to reduce the negative effects of horror movies through the following ways:
Monitor what your children are watching
Be available to talk with your children about their fears
Utilize parental controls on televisions and computers
Don't be afraid to set limits if your child wants to watch something inappropriate
(Shaiymkulova).
