Film Regulation: Thoughts on the Current System

What are the PROS and CONS of the current UK system of film classification?


PROS

• Clear, simple classification system. Gives buyers instant idea of general suitability of the film.
• Parents have a reliable, government-approved authority to trust to rate films correctly for their children.
• The BBFC are not all-powerful - they are answerable to OFCOM and local authorities can overrule BBFC rating decisions in their respective areas.
• The BBFC constantly update their guidelines to keep abreast of the current social climate and any new laws that are passed.

CONS

• The laws against the selling of unsuitable films to children are impossible to enforce and one could argue that the laws primarily exist to protect the government from any damage to society done by films.
• The ratings system is fundamentally flawed in that it assumes all children are the same in terms of sensitivity and fears. It is impossible to quantify what will affect a particular child and what one 6 year-old finds upsetting may not disturb his twin at all.
• The BBFC guidelines and website are not well advertised, so not many parents are aware that extensive information on film classification is available to them. Therefore some of them remain woefully ignorant of film classification guidelines.

Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?


I think that the BBFC guidelines are sensible and relevant to modern society. The organisation is very necessary to enforce quality control on all professional films being consumed by the public. The guidelines successfully enforce the law on films passing through the system, making cuts to scenes or even banning works completely. 


However, I do not think the classification system succeeds in its aim of protecting the vulnerable at all. Besides having guidelines that do not take into account different sensitivity levels in children, the UK laws do not stop children watching unsuitable films at all. The internet means that a child can watch anything they want whenever they want, rendering the laws protecting children useless.


Is there anything you think could be done to improve the system?

• Raise public awareness of the BBFC website to reduce parental ignorance
• Police crackdown on illegal video sites - tightening of Digital Economies Bill
• Involve parents more in the rating process. Take public votes into consideration perhaps?