The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is an independent non-governmental organization that has been classifying films and videos in the UK since 1912. In 1984, the Video Recordings Act gave the BBFC statutory powers to classify videos. The BBFC uses published guidelines and considers issues like violence, language, sex, and nudity when classifying films for certain age groups. Films are given ratings of U, PG, 12A, 15, or 18 to indicate the appropriate audience. This age classification system regulates films by preventing children from viewing potentially disturbing or adult content that could negatively impact them.

1. BBFC
Case Study

2. What is the BBFC?
British board of film classification
• the BBFC “British Board of Film Classification,” was set up in 1912 and is an independent and
non governmental body. The role of the BBFC is to classify cinema films and videos/ DVDs. This
has been going since the since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.
• The BBFC was set up in 1912, by the film industry as an independent body to introduce a new
form of regularity to the classification of film nationally. Statutory powers on film remain with
the local councils, which may override any of the BBFC’s choices, passing films the BBFC reject,
banning films we have passed, and even waiving cuts, establishing new ones, or changing
categories for films shown under their own licensing authority.
• In 1984 Parliament passed the Video Recordings Act. This act specified that, due to certain
releases, video recordings offered for sale or hire commercially in the UK, must be classified by
an authority nominated by the Secretary of State. The President and Vice Presidents of the
BBFC were so selected, and charged with applying the new test of ‘suitability for viewing in the
home’. At this point the Board’s title was changed to the British Board of Film Classification to
reflect the fact that classification plays a far larger part in the BBFC’s work than censorship.
• The BBFC is a not for profit organisation, and its fees are adjusted only to cover its costs. In
order to preserve its independence, the BBFC never receives subsidies from either the film
industry or the government. Its income is solely from the fees it charges for its services,
calculated by measuring the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification. The
BBFC consults the Department of Culture, Media and Sport before making any changes to its
fees.

3. Film Classification
• All classification decisions are based on the BBFC’s published and regularly
updated Guidelines. The Guidelines are the product of extensive public
consultation, research and the accumulated experience of the BBFC over many
years. They reflect current views on film, DVD and video game regulation.
• Examiners look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable
behaviour, language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when
making decisions. They also consider context, the tone and impact of a work
(e.g. how it makes the audience feel) and even the release format (for
example, as DVDs are watched in the home, there is a higher risk of underage
viewing). This can be an issue in contemporary media regulation, as unsuitable
DVDs watched from too young of an audience can be known as being
impressionable on younger children and violent or disturbing actions can be
repeated by the audience, which could be a potential case study when it
comes to the exam, as a question on media regulation.

4. The U symbol stands for Universal. This means
the film is classified as the most tame, meaning
there is little to non violence shown in the film.
A U film should be suitable for audiences aged
four years and over. However, it is impossible to
predict what might upset a particular child,
especially at this lower end of the category
range.
Universal

5. PG
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a
film is suitable for general viewing, but some
scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
For example, some threatening language and
some scenes of mild violence. A PG film should
not unsettle a child aged around eight or older.
Parents should consider whether the content
may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.

6. 12A and 12
Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not
generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a
12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a
child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for
that child. The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a
12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its
license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to
a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home, so the 12
certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A. The 12 is also a simpler
system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the
customer is over the age of 12. the BBFC considers the content of 12A rated films
to be suitable for children aged 12 and over, and we would not recommend taking
very young children to see them. Works classified at these categories may upset
children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for
them. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider
whether the film is suitable for that child.

7. Age 15
No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the
cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated
works are not suitable for children under 15 years
of age. Any of the following, strong violence,
frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***'). portrayals of
sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex,
sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or
verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory
language or behaviour and drug taking, may be
portrayed In a film classified as 15.

8. Age 18
A film which is classified as an 18, may include the following,
very strong violence, frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***')
and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) strong portrayals
of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror,
strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances)
discriminatory language and behaviour. Films rated 18 are for
adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the
cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works
are suitable for children. No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults
are free to choose their own entertainment provided the
material is not illegal or potentially harmful, so it is possible
some themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some
adult viewers.

9. How Does This Regulate Films?
This regulates films, as it prevents children from
buying and watching films, that may be seen as a
threat to them. It is crucial that we protect children
from what are seen as “scenes of and adult nature”
as this is inappropriate for children to view. This
may also scare them. Also, according to Albert
Bandura and the results of his Bobo Doll
experiment, it is most likely that children copy the
actions in which they have just witnessed/which are
seen as right. The age classification prevents
children from witnesses the violent scenes. Further
preventing them from