Under 12s seeing Harry Potter

[Mrs TP]

Hubbie was casually planning to take our 9yr old to see the latest Harry Potter at the cinema when he noticed it was rated 12a (she has seen the others on DVD not at the cinema). Neither of us are comfortable taking her now we know this and she was mildly cross as many of her friends have seen it. What do others think about the rating and would you / have you ignored it?

[Coach Beth]

My understanding is that children who are under 12 can see 12a rated films if accompanied by an adult. I would have taken my son if he was 9 - he is 6 now and actually isn't that interested in Harry Potter. But I took him to see the Green Latern which is rated PG 13 with another mum friend and her 6 year old boy and they enjoyed it (except for the kissing scences - wherby they both went 'yuck!' and hid their eyes) and suffered no ill consquences. I think these things are guidance and if you know your child and what they will and will not be affected by you can follow your own wisdom - if she isn't ready or would be scared you made the right decision for sure!

[EDmummy]

BBFC classification document here might help with your decision. All but one of the previous HP films was a 12a (if seen at the cinema) or 12 on DVD.

I suppose it all comes down to how emotionally mature your 9 year old is. Mine was very emotionally mature at 9 so he saw Part 1 and at 10 has now seen Part 2. It is also worth while looking at details of the classification to find out why it was rated 12A and then perhaps talking those issues through with your daughter before the film.

It was a great film!

[Mrs TP]

Thanks guys - had not actually checked out what the cinema listings meant (doh) and had wrongly assumed under 12s couldn't go. All delighted here she can go and now just need to sort out the trip.

[sophiechristophy]

I have seen the new Harry Potter, and while really good, I do think that it is quite scary and definitely deserves it's rating of 12A.

[sunbob]

Personally I think that all the films and books after no 4 are pretty dark. We both love the series and have been conjecturing on when our v little one will be ready for them. I think the original generation reading the books as they were published had an advantage, a 7 year old reading the first book would be ready as each year went past for a new book.