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Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been watching R-rated movies with my family. 

Whether it was with my mother who put it on, or a random movie I found on Netflix, I’ve been unbothered by the content since I was seven. 

People argue that R-rated movies can be mentally damaging, but there’s no evidence they can alter brain chemistry or cause long-term harm.

Some of the best movies of our time like “Good Will Hunting” or “The Batman” are rated R while not showing anything harmful for teenagers.

These movies earn their ratings mainly for harsh language or graphic content. 

Yet teens under 17 are no strangers to curse words and violence, they’ve likely encountered worse in the classroom and everyday life.

R-rated movies are rated as such for adult themes, intense violence, drug abuse or graphic content. However, many receive the rating for something as minor as a few cuss words. 

Almost every child today has internet access at their fingertips, exposing them to content far worse than movies. As a child I stumbled upon graphic content on YouTube and it’s even easier to find now.

If kids under 13 can watch R-rated content on YouTube then the age limit for seeing R-rated movies in theaters should be reconsidered. 

The enforcement of R-rated movie rules is far too strict. If the ratings were a suggestion for parents rather than a rule for theaters, it would make more sense. 

The movie industry would benefit too as more teens could see those films, leading to more R-rated movies being produced. 

At the end of the day, what kids watch is up to the parents. The only difference between explicit content on YouTube and the movies is the format.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 print edition.