Classification categorys

Age Ratings You Trust

• Suitable for all
• Parental guidance
• Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over
• Video release suitable for 12 years and over
• Suitable only for 15 years and over
• Suitable only for adults
• Adult works for licensed premises only

 

The U symbol stands for Universal. This means that a U film should be suitable for  all audiences aged four years and over.  in  U fims, film makers and producers only allow very mild bad language. for example ‘damn’ and ‘hell’.Characters in films classified as U may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.

PG stands for Parental Guidance. So a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children as it may upset them. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Some films are given a PG certificate but have not been made with a young audience in mind. This is because of the story line or the content in the film. No theme is prohibited at PG, as long as it is in a what is appropriate to the category. PG works can explore challenging issues such as domestic violence, bereavement or racism.
In a PG work, illegal or antisocial behaviour, such as bullying. There may be mild bad language, things like ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’ in a PG film, but the context and delivery are always important. References to sex are acceptable if the activity talked about or shown is implied and lacking in detail this is so a child is unlikely to understand the references, film makers and producers may alow it at PG. There should be no detail of violence in a PG work, so while there might be some blood, you would not see how the injury was inflicted in strong detail.

12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult. The  difference between 12 and 12a, is the 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays. 12A is for films at the cinema only. There may be strong language for example 'f***' at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There also may be moderate language for example uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A . Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.