Your child has come home from school all excited! They’ve been going on and on about a film that all their friends have watched. You put the film on for them, thinking that it’s going to be a wonderful time. Soon, you’re horrified as one of the characters swears, and there’s a death on the screen! Children aren’t supposed to watch this! You start to think - How was my child able to access this? How can I find out which films or games are appropriate for my child and prevent this from happening again?

In this digital age, people can access media more conveniently than ever before! But for a parent, this can be a nightmare to navigate. How do you know which ones are appropriate, and could your child be watching something unsuitable when you’re not looking?

Thankfully, there are lots of ways we can make sure that the things your child is interacting with are appropriate for them. We can also restrict the content that they watch and play, thanks to features called parental controls.

The fastest and simplest way to make sure your child isn’t watching anything unsuitable for their age group is to take a look at a film or TV show’s age rating. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the many different ratings.

What are age ratings?

All media that is produced must be certified by an independent company. This company determines what is suitable for certain ages. In the UK, TV and films are certified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), and games are certified by the Pan European Game Information company (PEGI).

We are going to look at what age categories they’ve created, and what is suitable for each category.

BBFC Film and TV ratings

These are the age ratings as supplied by the BBFC:

(U) Universal — Suitable for all

A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child.

U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat, or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for preschool children, this will be indicated in the Ratings Info.

(PG) Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.

(12/12A) Suitable for 12 years and over

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. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the Ratings Info for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12-rated video work.

(15) Suitable 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 work.

(18) Suitable for 18 years and over

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 work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

But what does it all mean?

Whilst we’ve covered the general guidelines here, detailed information about what each age rating restricts can be found on the BBFC website: https://www.bbfc.co.uk/rating/u

Every child is different, so you must make the decision as to what your child can watch at their age. IMDB has a helpful section about each film called ‘Parents Guide’ which details everything that could be scary or age-inappropriate.

What about video games?

Here are the ratings for video games, as assigned by PEGI. You can find more details here: PEGI labels info

PEGI 3

The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.

PEGI 7

Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.

PEGI 12

Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual innuendo or sexual posturing can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild.

PEGI 16

This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.

PEGI 18

The adult classification is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs and of the simulation of gambling, and explicit sexual activity should also fall into this age category.

As well as age ratings, PEGI also applies visual descriptions, so a parent knows what a game specifically involves, immediately:

The game contains depictions of violence. In games rated PEGI 7, this can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters, whereas games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly more realistic-looking violence.

The game contains bad language. This descriptor can be found on games with a PEGI 12 (mild swearing), PEGI 16 (e.g., sexual expletives or blasphemy) or PEGI 18 rating (e.g., sexual expletives or blasphemy).

This descriptor may appear as 'Fear' on games with a PEGI 7 if it contains pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children. It may appear as 'Horror' on higher-rated games that contain moderate (PEGI 12) or intense and sustained (PEGI 16) horror sequences or disturbing images (not necessarily including violent content).

The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. These simulations of gambling refer to games of chance that are normally carried out in casinos or gambling halls. Some older titles can be found with PEGI 12 or PEGI 16, but PEGI changed the criteria for this classification in 2020, which made that new games with this sort of content are always PEGI 18.

This content descriptor can accompany a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual posturing or innuendo, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals, or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Depictions of nudity in a non-sexual context do not require a specific age rating, and this descriptor would not be necessary.

The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are always PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.

The game contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes likely to encourage hatred. This content is always restricted to a PEGI 18 rating (and likely to infringe national criminal laws).

The game offers players the option to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. Such purchases include additional content (bonus levels, outfits, surprise items, music), but also upgrades (e.g., to disable ads), subscriptions to updates, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency.

This content descriptor is sometimes accompanied by an additional notice if the in-game purchases include random items (like loot boxes or card packs). Paid random items comprise all in-game offers where players don't know exactly what they are getting prior to the purchase. They can be purchased directly with real money and/or exchanged for an in-game virtual currency. Depending on the game, these items may be purely cosmetic, or they may have functional value.

The notice is always displayed underneath or near the age label and content descriptors:

Now that you know what to look out for, it should be easier to determine what content is suitable for your child!

What are the age ratings for films and games?

These ratings are intended to help parents make informed decisions about content.