The UK's Current Classification System

What are the pros and cons?
 Pros;
- It is a clear, simple classification system, giving consumers a clear idea of the suitability of the film
- The BBFC update and renew their guidelines to keep up with changing public perceptions of what is acceptable, meaning the classification is up-to-date with society
- The 13 main issues they take into account when classifying a production are modern and in-keeping with societies values
- The BBFC only provide a guideline rating, local authorities can over rule their decision if they think the classification is incorrect
- Parents have a reliable, government approved classification system which they can trust - this means it is easy for them to know what is acceptable for their children to see

Cons;
- It could be argued that the classification system is only there to stop the public blaming the governement for damage to society caused through young children watching inappropriate films
- The BBFC can only classify the films, it is up to cinemas and parents to ensure the films are only seen by the appropriate audience - no one is accountable for what a child watches at home accept the parents
- It could be argued that it is not right to classify films based on age ratings - people mature at different ages and you cannot judge how a film will affect someone
- Most people are unaware of the information that is on offer - parents generally judge purely based on the rating, the BBFC parents website is not advertised so most people don't know of its existence


Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?
I think in some ways the way films are regulated is sensible, without a classification system there would be no way of parents judging what is suitable for their children to see. Ratings provide a general idea of whether a film will cause distress or harm to a person of a certain age or state of mind which is useful when deciding on whether to watch a film. It is also necessary to prevent the government or film production companies from being sued - if the correct information and classification is given to the film, it is down to the public to decide whether to watch it. If a film is in breach of the law or in danger of harming the public then certain scenes will be cut and in the past whole films have been scrapped altogether.

 Having said that, the classification system can only prove useful to a certain point. Whilst cinemas and film distributors do their best to enforce the ratings system, there are ways around this and they cannot enforce what is watched by people at home. It is the parents responsibility to prevent their children from watching a film work that may scare or harm their child, and if the parents is not a responsible individual then a lot of the time this does not happen. The classification system cannot judge the way a film will be perceived an individual either, people will take what they want from a film and if they are mentally unstable then a film that followed the guidelines may still harm them and society.


Is there anything you think could be done to improve the system?
In my opinion there isn't much that could be done to improve the system. Perhaps films could instead be rated by their content rather than by being given an audience age guideline - this would be useful as children mature at different ages based on their circumstances. However, there would be no way of enforcing this system as it couldn't be judge just by looking at someone. Personally I don't think there is a foolproof way of stopping films reaching the 'wrong' people, mainly because once you are over 18 you can watch any film you want. This means that people that are potentially harmful to society can be influenced by films that are not deemed suitable for those under 18, even if they are likely to be less damaged by it. I think the information that is out there needs to be better promoted to give people an idea of the film they are going to see. The Parents BBFC website could be advertised at the beginning of U and PG films where parents are most likely to see it and this would give them a good idea of what is suitable for their children, as they know them best.