Overview
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a hugely popular video game among young people, but just as controversial among parents. This horror-themed game takes players on a suspenseful journey as they work as a security guard at a haunted restaurant, trying to survive the night. Some people love the horror genre, others not so much. But is it a safe game for kids to play? We pulled all the facts here so you can make the best decision for your kid. Let’s jump in!
Harmful Content ❗️
As is the point of any good horror video game, movie, book, etc., Five Nights at Freddy’s contains lots of intense and potentially frightening content. The game’s atmosphere is designed to be unsettling, and players can encounter jump scares and eerie animatronic characters. The suspenseful nature of the game can be overwhelming for some individuals, especially younger and impressionable players.
Additionally, the idea of a “haunted” restaurant may go against some families’ values. The game does not really include supernatural or spiritual elements (besides the animatronics coming to life) but some parents may want to be aware of this and have a conversation with their child about their values.
Language
The game does not really have any explicit or offensive language. The emphasis is more on the “creepiness” of the game than anything else.
Sex
The story that the game is based on (a security guard at a haunted restaurant) does not include any sexual or romantic themes.
Violence
The violence is the main issue that parents have regarding their kids playing this game. Five Nights at Freddy’s mostly relies on jump scares and psychological horror in order to frighten players. There are explicit scenes of violence when animatronics attack players, though it’s not considered to be overly gory.
Another aspect to note is the graphic style. The violence is portrayed in a stylized, animated manner rather than realistic depictions of gore or brutality. This animated style adds to the unsettled feeling of the game, but also makes it less disturbing.
Positive Value 💫
As with most video games, you can always count on the fact there is some element of problem-solving and strategizing involved. Players need to be resourceful and resilient to make it through the challenges of Five Nights at Freddy’s, which are helpful skills to have even outside of a haunted restaurant.
So, should my kid play it?
Players who are mature enough to handle the horror elements may really enjoy this game. We’d suggest keeping it from really young players, but for older kids, it’s really up to each individual parent.
