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Family Life

Age-Appropriate Media: Can You Trust Parental Guidance Ratings?

By: Cori Cross, MD, FAAP

Have you ever found yourself thinking, "Did they really just say that in a PG-rated movie?" If so, you probably won't be surprised to hear that movie, TV, and video game ratings today aren't the same as when we were kids.

Studies show that government and industry movie ratings have become more lenient over time. More violent and sexually explicit content are allowed into films than there used to be. What these ratings mean and whether they can tell you what's appropriate for your child isn't always clear. Even movies with the same rating released in the same year can differ widely in the amount and type of potentially offensive content.

How to make healthy media choices for your family

We know that children are influenced by what they see and hear, especially at very young ages. Rating systems can be one tool your family uses to choose media that has positive influences—and avoid content with negative influences. Some tips:

Learn the media ratings lingo

Raters often use quotas for scenes that have violence, sex and swearing. Once these quotas are reached, the movie is pushed into a higher rating bracket. Although this may make sense for filmmakers, it can be difficult for parents to navigate. For instance, you may not want your child exposed to certain content, such as vulgar language. For you, even one "f-word" may be too many.

Look for ratings and warning labels on media such as movies, TV shows, music, videos and video games. Look at the content information if it's available too. It's usually located in the same area as the rating. This will indicate details about why the raters gave the rating they did. It will also help you find age-appropriate content for your child.

Companies such as streaming services don't currently have to use parental guidance ratings at all. This means that the majority of online streaming videos are unrated. Use caution with online videos and products that don't have a rating. Be sure to find out more about them before you let your child play with, listen to or watch them.

Co-view media when possible

Keep in mind that while ratings can be helpful, they are only a guide. Nothing is better than you listening to and watching media with your kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends co-viewing media with your children as often as you can. This gives you a chance to talk about what you're hearing or seeing and how it fits into your family's values.

Whatever media your child is using should be age appropriate. If possible, it should also reinforce your family's values. If you can, it's good to pre-screen what your child watches. That said, with the sheer amount of media kids are exposed to, it's unrealistic that you'll be able to pre-screen or co-view everything.

Use family-friendly media resources

When co-viewing or listening isn't an option, you can refer to reputable, independent resources such as Common Sense Media (CSM). These resources rate movies, television shows, video games, music, apps, websites and books.

The CSM website and app give in-depth reviews. This allows parents a better sense of what to expect. There are even suggestions for discussions parents may want to have with their children. The ratings have a 5-dot system and detailed summaries about what parents may want to know in these categories:

Consumerism

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Positive role models

Diverse representations

Positive messages

The CSM website and app offer age recommendations with each review. DISH Network and DIRECTV have partnered with CSM and include these age recommendations on their guide listings too.

Federal TV rating guidelines

The TV Parental Guidelines (see chart below) are usually included within local TV listings. Ratings aren't used for news programs. The AAP recommends keeping young children away from repetitive graphic images and sounds that may appear on news programs—especially after a major tragedy .

If you want older children to watch the news, record it ahead of time. That way, you can preview it before you sit down with them to watch it. Then, as you watch it together, you can pause and have a discussion when you need to.

All TVs 13 inches or larger made in the United States after 2000 are required by federal law to have a V-chip. This chip allows parents to block specific shows or groups of programs based on ratings, specific shows, or time slots. Visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website for more information.

Industry movie rating guidelines

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has a voluntary rating system for the movie industry. These ratings give general guidelines to parents about the level of content they might find inappropriate for their children.

The MPAA's Classification & Ratings Administration (CARA) has a board of independent raters who are required to be parents themselves. They view each film for potentially offensive content, such as violence, sex, drug use and language. Then they assign ratings based on what they believe most American parents would consider the film's appropriate rating.

Video game and app rating guidelines

The Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) gives ratings to video games and apps. These are like movie ratings—they serve as a guide to help you make informed choices. Nearly all video games sold in the United States and Canada have ratings.

Official government or industry ratings offer you some general guidance on which shows, movies, and other media may be appropriate for your child's age. But for most families, they don't replace sitting down with your children and watching what they're watching—or, when that's not possible, getting a heads-up from reputable, parent-friendly resources about what they'll see.

More information

• Virtual Violence: How Does It Affect Children?
• How to Make a Family Media Use Plan
• Video Games: Establish Your Family's Own Rating System
• FCC  (The Federal Communications Commission)
• Common Sense Media

About Dr. Cross:

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Unlike the MPAA we do not assign one inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY , VIOLENCE/GORE and LANGUAGE on a scale of 0 to 10, from lowest to highest, depending on quantity and context.

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A parent’s guide to movie age ratings

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) symbols are a familiar reference most of us use when considering the suitability of a movie for our children.

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Lucy Brett, Head of Education at the BBFC, helps shine a light on film classification in the UK and explains how to use the ratings to make informed decisions about your family's entertainment.

What are age ratings for films?

Age ratings are recommendations for parents and carers to help them decide what is appropriate for their child depending on what stage of development they are at. Legally, these must be followed by cinemas, and no one under the age of 12, 15 or 18 can purchase a film with those ratings. However, what you choose to watch at home with your children is up to you.

“We don’t tell people what they can and can’t watch, but instead offer clear guidance to parents and children so that people can choose content well . We know that every family is different and that everyone is affected differently by content, so what we do is offer parents, carers and children a useful guide to what’s suitable and play a valuable part in helping them decide, and even negotiate, what to watch and what to avoid,” says Lucy. 

BBFC age ratings and what they mean

PG stands for parental guidance and these movies can be a little more complicated or intense than a U rated film. PG films might include some heavier topics, such as racism or bullying, but not in a way that condones such behaviour. Any bad language is mild, and there may be mild innuendo and references to sex.   

The 12A rating only applies to films shown in cinemas. This means a child under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a grown-up.

The 12 rating is used for DVDs and video-on-demand and cannot be sold or rented to anyone under the age of 12. Weapons and bad behaviour may be included in these movies but should not be shown as attractive and should not be glamorised. Moderate bad language, and sometimes strong language depending on the context, may be used. Sex scenes should be short and discreet.   

This rating reflects the fact that although teens are often aware of many adult topics, there is still some content that is too 'mature' and may be unsuitable. Behaviour such as suicide and self harm may be inlcuded but not in great detail. Use of illegal drugs may be shown but should not be promoted, and strong language is permissable. Sex scenes may be included but not excessively or explicitly. Strong violence is allowed but it cannot dwell on 'inflicting pain or injury'.  

This rating signals that a movie's content may be very graphic and should not be watched by anyone under the age of 18. The film may include very strong language, explicit sex scenes and strong violence. The BBFC only request limitations on the content if is a risk to adults or society or the content is illegal in any way.  

How are ratings applied?

The BBFC apply ratings to content using Classification Guidelines based on people’s opinions and UK law. This is updated every four to five years through a wide-scale public consultation conducted by independent researchers.

The guidelines, which were last updated in February 2019, take into account people from different communities and age groups across the country to understand what matters to families and how attitudes are changing – such as what worries parents and children about things they see on-screen, the pressures young children, teens and parents can feel under, and how families make decisions about what to watch.

"For films for cinema release, at least two of our Compliance Officers will watch the content and discuss their decision at the end. They will then recommend an age rating using the published BBFC Classification Guidelines and in most cases, their recommendation is approved by the Compliance Manager or the Head of Compliance,” says Lucy. 

Content considered for age classifications

Dangerous behaviour

• Allowing bad behaviour, such as bullying, go unchecked 
• Showing dangerous behaviour that young children might copy
• Glamourising weapons
• Promoting illegal behaviour 

Discrimination

• Scenes involving discriminatory behaviours like  racism, sexism, homophobia  and whether or not this is promoted or challenged. 
• Glamourising or showing the misuse of drugs 
• Detailed scenes of drug use 
• Use of offensive language and the context of its use

Nudity and sex

• Scenes of a sexual nature involving nudity 
• Normalising sexualised behaviour
• Innuendos and references to sex 

Sexual violence and sexual threat

• Showing sexual violence 
• Showing sexual threats and abuse
• Scenes of sexual violence showing powerlessness, fear or distress

Threat and horror

• Scary images and scenes and how long they go on for
• Effects such as music, realism, or supernatural elements that could upset viewers
• Use of realistic violence 
• Glamourising or normalising violence 
• Does the context lessen or deepen the impact of the content? For instance, historical context, fantasy elements, realistic depictions
• Is the theme handled sensitively? Is it reassuring and positive, or does it reinforce fear and anxiety? 

Tone and impact

• Even if the content on its own is innocent enough, the tone could change the rating if it is dark or unsettling. 

When and why movie ratings change

In 2018, the BBFC consulted people from all over the UK and ran 32 focus groups made up of parents of young children, regular film viewers, teenagers and empty nesters. This consultation revealed attitudes towards sexual threat and sexual violence have moved on since 2013/14.

"Although the BBFC already classifies this type of content restrictively, people told us that this type of behaviour should receive a higher rating. We therefore adjusted our Classification Guidelines in these areas.

"Similarly, concern has increased in recent years about discriminatory attitudes, language and behaviour, particularly in films aimed at children and families. This means that, when re-submitted, films that might have been classified using our previous guidelines might be rated higher or lower. For example, Jaws (1975) was reclassified for video release in 2012 and moved from a PG to a 12A to reflect people’s views on bloody detail and gore.

"On the other hand, Gremlins (1984) was originally rated 15 but that was because the only choices available at the time were U, PG, 15 and 18. Without the benefit of either a 12 or 12A category before 1989, we had a starker choice to make between PG or 15. The film is now rated 12A which is a far better fit for its comic tone and appeal to a younger teen audience.”

Why are movie age ratings important?

“Many families still love watching stuff together, but we’re all using phones and tablets more and more. Children’s screen time is growing and children themselves are deciding what to watch at an ever-younger age. So giving straightforward advice that helps families decide what to watch with confidence is more relevant than ever. Helping children learn how to choose for themselves is increasingly important, so that they can view what’s right for them, whatever they watch."

Lucy adds: "We take what we do seriously because we know that our decisions can have a big impact on people. We always work to get the balance right between helping children avoid seeing unsuitable things on-screen , but at the same time not unreasonably stopping people from watching what they want.”

Do teachers check age ratings when films are shown in school?

“Our guidelines research showed that large numbers of teachers, especially those taking care of much younger children, for example in nursery and infant classes, always check age ratings before showing films to pupils. This said, the same research also showed that a significant proportion of teachers are concerned about the effects of what children they are taking care of are viewing online."

“To help increase awareness of our age ratings, but also to help children and young people develop the skills they need to make the right choices about what content they view, we have also created two teaching resources for use in PSHE Lessons, one for Key Stage 2 and one for Key Stage 3 . Written with the PHSE Association, these allow teachers and pupils to reflect on what content they can and can’t see, how issues such as sex and relationships are shown in films, and how and why we have rules and regulations in the first place. The resources were also designed to help children hone vital skills such as resilience, decision making, and strategies to avoid peer pressure.”

Is there an official site where parents can check the rating of a specific movie?

"We publish details of classified works on our website , including ratings info, and via our Twitter feed . You can see a list of our recent decisions on our website. 

We have also just launched a Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings , to help all parents and carers understand age ratings and explain them to the children they care for. This helps parents navigate content and help their families choose well. It is free to download, and is also available on the BBFC app ."

The BBFC also have a website specifically for children called CBBFC which includes information aimed at children aged 8-11 about recent film releases and a version of the BBFC Guidelines written for children explaining what we pass at each category. It offers activities such as Rate a Trailer , allowing younger children to have a go at watching a trailer, noting the issues, and thinking critically about how they would rate the trailer themselves and how their view compares to the recommendation the compliance team made.

"This is a really good way of allowing children to explore their own tastes, sensitivities and standards, and think about how they make decisions about what they watch, especially in a world where children are increasingly able to make decisions for themselves as they are viewing on their own devices or on their own in the home,” says Lucy.

Gaming age ratings

Read our parents' guide to gaming age ratings for information about how the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) in Europe and the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) system in the USA rate games according to age, content and suitability.

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