BBFC (British Board Of Filming Classification)

The BBFC is the board responsible for certifying the age requirement to watch a movie they base the age certification upon many aspects such as the language used and the content shown.

U stands for Universal, although it doesn't say an age but it says it should be viewable for children of the age of 4, however at this age it is not easy to tell what would upset a child so movies of this certificate are kept rather subtle.

When it comes to bad language in a U certified film, the extent is words like "damn" and "hell", words such as "bloody" and "bugger" may be used but this is right at the very extent of what can be used.

With regards to sexual content in U certified films, there may be scenes instigating something sexual, e.g. making love is going to come next but they won’t necessarily show it, just the leading scenes up to it, scenes like this are widely used in all films, the effect where the audience knows what is going to happen, or the scene after they know what has happened.

Horror and violence scenes will be used briefly in U certified movies, there will be small fight scenes or scenes where characters are placed in danger, however solutions will be imminent and the audience will be reassured.

Unless there is a clear educational message, or anti idea then drugs/illegal drugs are not normally used in U certified movies.

U certified films can cover most themes and keep the tone throughout the films subtle and reassuring. Friendship, loyalty, honesty and respect are largely used and this is to help with the tone of the film, U certified films are designed not to have too much of an influence on children's emotions.

PG stands for Parental Guidance, as you may know or guessed this is the next level up of certificate for films, a PG film is suitable for general viewing however with parental guidance, films with this certificate should not affect children aged eight or above, however when watching this film with a younger audience parents should consider it may affect them.

Not all PG films are made with children in mind however, for instance documentaries which are certified PG, documentaries could reveal truths and have disturbing images, and largely they are suitable for general audiences however.

Themes as you go up in age become more adult, for instance the themes in PG certified films may include, bullying and things like anti-social behaviour will not be condoned, and if children are seen to be drinking and smoking then it will be presented as being bad and wrong, similar as if drugs are shown in a PG certified film then they will be presented as harmful.

Bad language is something you will see more of in PG films, however only words such as "shit" and "son of a bitch," if the bad language is more vicious then there is chance it will be passed up to the next category.

There will be more sexual references in PG films, the only time the movie will be moved up to the certificate above is if they believe the child is going to be able to recognise and understand it, otherwise the film will be left with a PG certificate.

Violence will not be a main part of a PG film, although there may be some, there won’t be detailed scenes of horror and violence, there may be blood, how it came about will not be clear or highlighted.

Drugs involvement will be labelled with a clear message that this is bad, wrong and harmful, the only time you will see drugs. Pg certified films are all in all for every ones viewing.

The 12A and 12 certified films, 12A means that children under the age of 12 may watch the movie however they must be accompanied by an adult, if you are over the age of 12 then you can view the movie without adult company.

The language in both these certificates becomes stronger, the words stated before will still remain but words such as "fuck" "bitch" and "twat", even thought the language may get stronger, the use of bad language is going to be less frequent, unless strongly condemned racial and homophobic terms will not be used in 12A or 12 certified films, and if the use of them is frequent and not shown as wrong/bad then the certificate will be pushed up.

Sex may be portrayed in both these certificates however it would be very discreet, the type of things that would not go beyond young teen minds, strong sexual preference is unlike to be accepted into this category and with regards to nudity, it may remain in this category as long as it’s discreet.

the limit to violence n this certificate is increased yet not by so much, the odd scene of some gore and blood is feasible, however nothing in detail is allowed, for instance seeing an injury, crime scene with blood, these are the small references which are allowed.

The horror in this category has definitely increased, physical and psychological danger is allowed, for instance things like hanging and other means of death may be shown as long as they do not frequent or very sustained. Weapons are used in 12A and 12 films however the type of weapons that aren't hard to get a hold of should not be advertised/glamorised in the films for obvious reasons. Reference to drugs and drug use should not be frequent and should not be instructive and the idea that they are bad and wrong should still remain.

When it comes to the certificate of 15, its where cinemas, movie rental places and games stores begin to get much more strict, the rating of a game should not be underestimated due to the fact that it is a game, the rating remains the same and the content is going to be pretty much the same as it would in a 15 rated film, the rating has nothing to do with how hard the game is etc.

Here is a list of some of the things you may find in a 15 rated film:

· 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

· Drug taking

Language can get much stronger, words such as "C***" may be used which you would not get in any of the underneath categories, everything is pushed to higher level at 15 rated which is why companies may be seen as much more strict when it comes to selling a game or letting someone into the cinema.

The use of drugs may be more frequently shown but still must be labelled with the same message that they are bad, things such as aerosols and solvents which are also drugs are not allowed to be advertised/glamorised due to the reason they are easy to get a hold of, similar idea behind weapons being used in 12A and 12 rated films.

18 rated films are the highest rating a film can be given, with films rated at 18 all of the things in the previous descriptions which could not be used for whatever reason, you are likely to find in a film with and 18 certificate. A game rated 18 is the same as a film rated 18; they are going to contain the same content or very similar content.

Here is a list of some of the things an 18 certificate contains:

· 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

· Discriminatory language and behaviour

One thing however is that drug use may be frequently shown however there must still be clear indication not to misuse/take drugs. You may think that because something is rated an 18 that it will be full on filth and bad however even at 18 there are limits and levels.

The messages which lie behind film, all the things that could make someone cause harm to them, infest ideas about harm to society through violence all have to be thought about when rating a film, some films may never be seen or used in certain areas because of reasons that have been mentioned.