15 Public Service Announcements That Gave Kids Nightmares
Here's a look at 15 real public service announcements that, despite good intentions, ended up scaring generations of children.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Public service announcements are meant to educate and protect, but some took a tone so grim that they traumatized young viewers. From cloaked Grim Reapers to ghostly accident victims, these campaigns relied on shock and fear to get their messages across. While effective in raising awareness, their unsettling imagery and ominous delivery ensured they lived on in childhood nightmares.
1. “Charley Says” – UK (1970s)
Manja Vitolic from Unsplash
This British animated PSA featured a talking cat named Charley warning children about dangers like strangers and unsafe behavior. While intended to be friendly, Charley’s distorted voice and eerie atmosphere unsettled many kids. The strange mix of cartoon innocence and ominous advice made it stick in young minds for years.
2. “Dark and Lonely Water” – UK (1973)
Akira Hojo from Unsplash
Narrated by a hooded Grim Reaper figure, this PSA warned children about the dangers of playing near water. Its bleak imagery and ominous voiceover were terrifying for its target audience. Many who saw it as kids still recall it as one of the most chilling things they ever saw on TV.
3. “The Spirit of Dark and Lonely Water” – UK (1973)
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Separate from the original, this variant showed ghostly silhouettes of children drowning while a cloaked figure looked on. The tone was bleak and without comfort, ending with only a grim warning. It left a generation of British kids with a fear of ponds and rivers.
4. “Slipped” – UK Anti-Smoking PSA (1987)
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In this PSA, a man lights a cigarette and suddenly slips into a disturbing, surreal world of hospital beds and oxygen masks. The jerky editing and unsettling sound design amplified the fear factor. It was meant to shock smokers, but many children who caught it on TV found it nightmare fuel.
5. “The Crash Test Dummies” – US (1985–1990s)
Clark Van Der Beken from Unsplash
Vince and Larry, the animated crash test dummies, showed the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt by smashing into windshields. While some found it humorous, the violent crashes made other kids uneasy. Seeing lifelike mannequins break apart on impact was more horrifying than educational to young viewers.
6. “Protect and Survive” – UK (1970s–1980s)
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This Cold War-era PSA instructed British citizens on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. Its clinical narration, stark animations, and apocalyptic tone were deeply disturbing. Children who stumbled across it often thought the world was moments away from ending.
7. “Faces of Death” Road Safety PSA – UK (1990s)
Holden Baxter from Unsplash
This graphic campaign used real footage of car crash aftermaths to warn about reckless driving. For kids, the raw, unfiltered imagery was traumatizing. The blunt presentation left no room for comfort or emotional cushioning.
8. “The House Fire” – US (1970s)
Ricardo Gomez Angel from Unsplash
In this PSA, a child is shown playing with matches, leading to a devastating house fire. The visuals of smoke and flames, combined with the screams of family members, left a heavy emotional impact. It was so intense that many children developed a fear of even lighting birthday candles.
9. “Apaches” – UK Farm Safety Film (1977)
Frances Gunn from Unsplash
Although technically a short film, it was shown in schools as a PSA to warn about farm dangers. It depicted children dying in various gruesome accidents, from drowning in slurry pits to being run over by tractors. The realistic portrayals shocked and scarred countless young viewers.
10. “One Dumb Move” – Australia Rail Safety (1980s)
Jake Weirick from Unsplash
This PSA warned about the dangers of crossing train tracks without looking. It featured slow-motion footage of a man being hit by a train, paired with a loud, metallic crash sound. Many kids who saw it became overly cautious, even fearful, of train stations.
11. “Never Talk to Strangers” – US (1970s)
Katleen Vanacker from Unsplash
Aimed at preventing child abduction, this PSA showed reenactments of strangers luring kids away. The ominous music and abrupt endings left a sense of unresolved danger. For many, it planted a lasting fear of being snatched from the street.
12. “Friday the 13th: Fire Safety” – US (1980s)
Maxim Tajer from Unsplash
Using the horror movie villain Jason Voorhees, this PSA warned about fire safety in a camp setting. The mix of a horror icon and real-life safety tips confused and scared children who were too young to separate fiction from reality. Its tone was far more unsettling than educational.
13. “Don’t Put It in Your Mouth” – Canada (1992)
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This PSA featured puppets singing about not putting unknown objects in your mouth to avoid poisoning. While the message was clear, the puppets’ strange faces and throaty voices were off-putting. Many children found it creepy enough to have nightmares.
14. “The Electrical Safety Guy” – UK (1980s)
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This campaign warned about the dangers of playing near electrical substations. It often showed kids climbing fences and being electrocuted in graphic, slow-motion scenes. The realism of the electrocution effects frightened children into avoiding even touching lampposts.
15. “Think!” Road Safety – UK (2000s)
Connor McSheffrey from Unsplash
One infamous spot showed a ghostly girl haunting the site where she was hit by a speeding driver. The mix of emotional tragedy and supernatural horror made it unforgettable. Younger viewers were particularly disturbed by the idea of a child’s ghost lingering forever.