The BBFC is an independent non-governmental organization that classifies films, videos, DVDs, and video games distributed in the UK according to their age ratings and content. It aims to protect children from harmful content and empower the public to make informed viewing choices. The BBFC has guidelines that determine the age ratings of U, PG, 12A, 15, and 18 based on factors like violence, language, sex, drugs and more. Higher ratings allow for increasingly explicit or adult content.