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Below are the guidelines set by the British Board of Film Classification for varying levels of film classification.

Click here for a page on their website containing information on classification decisions affecting individual films. 

U

Universal – Suitable for all

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged 4 years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

Videos classified as 'Uc' are particularly suitable for pre-school children and normally raise none of the issues set out below.

Theme Treatment of problematic themes must be sensitive and appropriate for a younger audience.

Language Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Nudity Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex Mild sexual behaviour (eg kissing) and references only (eg to ‘making love’)

Violence Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

Imitable techniques No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.

Horror Horror effects should be mild and brief and should take account of the presence of very young viewers. The outcome should be reassuring.

Drugs No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a clear educational purpose or clear anti-drug message suitable for the audience.

PG

Parental Guidance – 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 8 or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Theme Where more serious issues are featured (eg domestic violence, racist abuse) nothing in their treatment should condone the behaviour.

Language Mild bad language only.

Nudity Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo.

Violence Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy)

Imitable techniques No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons. No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.

Horror Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Drugs Any references to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

12A

Suitable for 12 years and over

No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

Theme Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Language The use of strong language (eg ‘fuck’) must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.

Nudity Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.

Violence Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.

Imitable techniques Dangerous techniques (eg combat techniques, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Horror Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.

Drugs Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.

15

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 or DVD.

Theme No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.

Language There may be frequent use of strong language (eg ‘fuck’). But the strongest terms (eg ‘cunt’) will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive 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 non-sexual or educational context.

Sex Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.

Violence Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

Imitable techniques Dangerous techniques (eg combat techniques, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Horror Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs Drug-taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. 

18

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 and ‘18’ rated video or DVD.

 In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• Where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – eg any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, eg eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• The more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a ‘sex work’ as defined below.

In the case of videos and DVDs, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent. For the same reason, and because of the different way in which they are experienced, the Board may take a more precautionary approach in the case of those digital games which are covered by the Video Recordings Act.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works, normally on video or DVD, whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18’ category.

R18

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to persons of not less than 18 years

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex between adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ videos 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 and interest in sexually abusive activity (eg paedophilia, incest, rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
• The infliction of pain or physical harm, real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for mild consensual activity. Penetration by any object likely to cause actual harm or associated with violence
• Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.

These guidelines will be applied to the same standard whether the activity is heterosexual or homosexual.