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.

Differences Between The Ratings

Below I have summarised the differences between classification ratings;

U -> PG
- Themes in a PG can be more grown up, but must not condone the behaviour and their treatment must be appropriate
- Sexual references can be joked about and mentioned in a PG, but only discreetly and infrequently
- Violence and Threat can be more frequent and stronger in a PG, but must be justified by its context
- Discriminatory Language may be allowed in a PG, but only if educationally or historically justified
- Drug use can be shown infrequently in a PG, but only with a suitable anti-drugs message
- Horror scenes are allowed in a PG if they are brief, horror in a fantasy world is more acceptable

PG -> 12A
- Themes in a 12A can be more mature, as their audience is young teenagers rather than children
- Sexual Activity can be portrayed in a 12A, but must be infrequent
- Drug Misuse can be portrayed in a 12A, but must not be glamorised or frequent
- Nudity can be portrayed in a sexual context at 12A, but must be brief and discreet
- Violence can be stronger in a 12A as long as it isn't dwelled upon. Sexual violence can be referred to
- Moderate Language can be used in a 12A as opposed to Mild Language in a PG, but must still be infrequent
- More dangerous imitable behaviour is allowed in a 12A as long as it is not dwelled upon or in detail
- Discriminatory Language can be more aggressive in a 12A as long as it is not dwelled upon or endorsed

12A -> 15
- Drugs Use can be shown more frequently in a 15 as long as it is not glamorised, promoted or shown in instructional detail
- Any level of Discriminatory Behaviour is allowed at 15, as long as it is not endorsed by the film as a whole
- Imitable behaviour is similar for 12A and 15 - weapons can be shown but not glamorised
- Nudity is allowed in a sexual context at 15, but must not be dwelled upon or detailed
- Strong verbal references to Sexual Behaviour is allowed at 15
- Stronger Threat and Horror is allowed, as long as it is not sexualised
- Violence is allowed more frequently in a 15, but must not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury
- No Theme is prohibited at 15, although the treatment must be suitable for the audience

15 -> 18
This shows the biggest jump in my opinion, as the audience is now adult and free to choose what they watch and consume;
- No criminal laws must be breached in an 18
- Risk of harm to society is still not allowed in an 18
- Sexualised Violence is allowed at 18
- Sexual Relationships are much more acceptable in an 18
- Clear images of real sex are forbidden in an 18

18 -> R18
- Clear images of real sex are allowed, unlike at 18
- Similar to all classification, no criminal laws must be breached
- Sexually Abusive behaviour and Sexual Violence is still not allowed

Classification - R18

- R18 films are to be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years
- The 'R18' category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults
- Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops
- 'R18' video works may not be supplied by mail order

The following content is not acceptable:

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) whcih may include adults role-playing as non-adults
• the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• penetration by an object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not fom part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is likely to be acceptable

These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation

Classification - 18

- 18 films are suitable only for adults
- No-one younger than 18 may see an '18' film in a cinema
- No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an '18' rated video

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be fee to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas;

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• wher material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour to society - for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in 'R18' works, and in 'sex works' would normally be confined to that category

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films

Sex education at '18'
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted

Sex works at '18'
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated ae generally passed '18'. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the 'R18' category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at 'R18' is also unacceptable in a sex work at '18'

Classification - 15

- 15 films are suitable only for 15 years and over
- No one younger than 15 may see a '15' film in a cinema
- No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a '15' rated video work

Criteria:
Discrimination - The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour
Drugs - Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable
Horror - Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised
Imitable Behaviour - Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised
Language - There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, 'fuck'). The strongest terms (for example, 'cunt') may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable
Nudity - Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context
Sex - Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context
Theme - No theme is prohibites, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds
Violence - Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification

Classification - 12A/12

- 12A/12 films should be suitable for 12 years and over
- Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at '12A' and '12'
- These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, for those aged 12 and over
- Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them
- The '12A' category exists only for cinema films
- No one younger than 12 may see a '12A' film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult - and they are not recommended to those below 12
- An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child
- The '12' category exists only for video works
- No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a '12' rated video work

Criteria:
Discrimination - Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive disriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned
Drugs - Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail
Horror - Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained
Imitable Behaviour - Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised
Language - Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, 'fuck') must be infrequent
Nudity - Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet
Sex - Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suiatble for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable
Theme - Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers
Violence - Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification

Classification - PG (Parental Guidance)

- PG films are for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
- Unaccompanied children of any age may watch
- A 'PG' film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older
- Parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children

Criteria:
Discrimination - Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable
Drugs - References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message
Horror - Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor
Imitable Behaviour - No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons
Language - Mild bad language only
Nudity - Natural nudity, with no sexual content
Sex - Sexual activitiy may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only
Theme - Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treament should condone unacceptable behaviour
Violence - Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justifiedby its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy)

Classification - U (Universal)

- Universal films are suitable for audiences of all ages
- It is impossible to predict what might upset a child but a universal film should be suitable for audiences aged four and over
- Universal films should be set within a positive mental framework and offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror
- If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, it will be indicated in the consumer advice

Criteria:
Discrimination - No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of
Drugs - No references to illegal drugs or drug misues unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children
Horror - Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to caude undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring
Imitable Behaviour - No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons
Language - Infrequent use only of very mild bad language
Nudity - Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual content
Sex - Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to 'making love)
Theme - While problematic themes may be present, their treatement must be sensitive and appropriate for young children
Violence - Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only

Classification Categories

The BBFC endeavours to classify submitted works in one of the following categories;

U (Universal) - Suitable for all
PG (Parental Guidance) - General Viewing but some scenes unsuitable for young children
12A/12 - Suitable for 12 years and over
15 - Suitable only for 15 years and over
18 - Suitable only for adults
R18 (Restricted) - Only shown in specially licensed cinemas

Each individual work must be considered, with the guidlines being taken into account. However, they are classified based on an interpretation of the guidlines, not in an over-literal way - this is to make sure that all works are given the chance to be seen by the widest audience suitable. By interpreting the guidelines rather than rigidly following them, films and other video works are given the best chance of achieving maximum profit.