Hey, Mom and Dad: When Is It OK for Kids to Start Watching Scary Movies?

Welcome to "Hey, Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.

As Halloween approaches, the movie channels start screening old horror movies and new slasher flicks are in plentiful supply at theaters. Your kid asks to go see a scary movie at the theater with friends, but they're barely out of grade school. Do you let them go?

That leads us to this week's question:

What's the appropriate age for kids to start watching scary movies?

Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the Comments section.

Michele Prestler Gustin: Never! Real life is scary enough! ;) — Batavia Patch Facebook

Sue Stozek Mayeda: When they feel they're ready. — Glen Ellyn Patch Facebook

Julie Beck: I think when your child shows interest or asking questions about them. My son started watching some of the less scary movies around 10 /11 and he just started getting into the really scary movies a few months ago around his 13th birthday. Of course, I watch them with him (which is cool because I love scary movies). It's really up to what they can handle. We don't do the slasher flicks here, he's not interested yet or ready. — Lisle Patch Facebook

Jan Rueffer Brones: Why is it there has to be an "appropriate age"? You know you're children and you know what they can handle. There isn't always and "appropriate age". Some kids won't be ready for scary movies until they are 12..others can handle them, no problem by 7. And yet there's some that even in adulthood, can't handle them. There is no "appropriate age." — Naperville Patch Facebook

Pong Sayasane: I think 10 and up, but not the bloody kind. My brother, who has no children, let them watch a scary movie with him without my consent a couple years ago. They went back to wanting night lights and hallway lights on for weeks at ages 8 & 10! — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti: My 12 year old said 9. She also thinks Freddy Kruger is a big girly boy. — Wheaton Patch Facebook

So what's your take? At what age are kids mature enough to handle a horror film? Tell us in the comments below.