Entertainment Ratings Explained

Working out what entertainment products are suitable for your kids can be a minefield. It's vitally important that kids are only exposed to age-appropriate products, as seeing or interacting with concepts that are too mature can affect your children for a lifetime. The ratings systems in place for games and films can can help you make an informed decision, but they can be a bit confusing. Here's a quick guide to what they mean.

For almost 100 years now, the BBFC has been in charge of film classification in the UK. They decide which films are suitable for which ages, and what you can and can't watch. They are currently responsible for rating all cinema and video releases, as well as some (but not all) video games. They are not currently responsible for rating internet content. Parents can find out more about their work here and you can read detailed information about all their decisions on their main site. The main BBFC classifications are:

Uc (Universal Children) rating - Videos classified Uc are particularly suitable for pre-school children. (More info)

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

PG (Parental Guidance) rating - 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 eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. (More info)

12A rating – Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult. (More info)

12 rating – Suitable only for 12 years and over

No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. (More info) 

15 rating – 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. (More info)

18 rating – 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 an ‘18’ rated video. (More info)

Video games are a little bit trickier. Video games are technically exempt from BBFC classification, and since it's inception in 2002, they have been rated by a body called PEGI (Pan European Game Information). Where it gets a little more complex is that when a game features Human sexual activity, acts of gross violence, criminal activity or drug use it is no longer exampt from BBFC classification, and must be reviewed by that body as well, resulting in two different ratings on the packaging. It's worth noting that the PEGI ratings have no legal status in the UK, so in the case where there's a BBFC rating and a PEGI rating, we suggest you go by the BBFC rating, using the PEGI description as back up. The PEGI ratings are as follows:

3+ rating - Suitable for ages 3 and over. Contains very mild violence or suggestive themes. These usually include educational 'edutainment' games.

7+ rating - These games are the same as Early Childhood ratings but may include content descriptors like mild violence and in a rare case, very mild action violence (blowing up non-humanoid robots for example). Suitable only for persons of 7 years of age and older.

12+ rating - Suitable only for persons of over ages 12 and older. This rating contains mild action violence or suggestive themes and mildly suggestive song lyrics.

16+ rating - This rating is suitable only for persons of 16 years of age or older. Some situations include strong action violence, mild references to gambling, and rude humor.

18+ rating - This rating is suitable only for persons 18 years of age and older. Graphic violence, strong sexual content, explicit references to gambling, and vulgar language (spoken and used in song lyrics) are permitted. This rating is fairly rare.

In addition to age ratings, the PEGI system also uses pictures to illustrate why a game has been given a particular rating. These pictures can usually be found on the back of the box.

Bad language rating - May contain profanity, sexual innuendo, threats, and all manner of slurs.

Discrimination rating - May contain cruelty or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preferences. This rating is pretty rare in practice.

Drugs rating - May contain references to illegal drugs or a fictional substance that has parallels to real-life illegal drugs (in use, possession, or sale).

Fear rating - May contain scenes that are considered too disturbing or frightening to younger or more emotionally vulnerable players.

Gambling rating - May contain games that are played for money (real or simulated).

Sex rating - May contain references to sexual attraction or sexual intercourse. Also may contain nudity and female characters dressed in suggestive clothing.

Violence rating - May contain scenes of people getting hurt or dying, often by use of weapons. Also may contain gore and blood-letting.