Key Differences

U>PG

• Some discriminatory language or behaviour may become acceptable due to context, but it must still be clearly disapproved of
• Some references to illegal drugs and drug misuse may become acceptable, but must remain in the context of an antidrug message
• More frightening sequences become allowed, though they must remain infrequent and must not be prolonged
• No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour for young children is allowed as compared to none being portrayed at all
• Mild language becomes acceptable as compared to very mild
• Natural nudity no longer has to be occassional, although must remain away from a sexual context
• Sexual activity may be implied and mild references and innuendo become acceptable
• Some more serious themes become permitted
• Violence can now be moderate instead of mild, though must not be detailed

PG>12A

• Discriminatory behaviour and language becomes acceptable as long as the work as a whole does not endorse it and there is relevant context
• Misuse of drugs is now allowed but must be infrequent and not be glamorised
• Moderate horror is now allowed although it should not be prolonged or frequent
• More serious dangerous behaviour may now be portrayed, though it should not be detailed or represented as harm or pain free
• Moderate language is now allowed, including infrequent use of strong language
• Nudity is now allowed in a sexual context though must remain brief and discreet
• Sexual activity may now be briefly and discreetly portrayed whereas it could only be refered to previously
• Mature themes are now acceptable as long as they are treated appropriately
• While moderate violence must not dwell on detail, some detail is acceptable, some gory moments may become acceptable and brief references to sexual violence may become acceptable in context

12A>15

•  Discriminatory language and behaviour is now acceptable as long as it is not endorsed by the work as a whole
• Drug taking may now be shown, though not with educational detail and not easily accessible substances
• Strong threat and menace are now permitted
• Dangerous behaviour may now be portrayed as pain or harm free
• Frequent use of strong language is now acceptable, and infrequent use of strongest language where justified by context
• Nudity is now allowed in a sexual context as long as there is not too much detail. Nudity in a non sexual or educational context now has no constraints
• Sexual activity may now be portrayed though without strong detail. Verbal references may also be strong
• No theme is prohibited as long as it is treated suitabley
• Violence may now be strong although not dwelling on pain or injury and there may be detailed verbal reference to sexual violence

15>18

• At 18 rating almost everything becomes acceptable other than the exceptions seen in this post
• This includes detailed drug taking and dangerous behaviour, glamorisation of weapons, strong violence and gore and most detailed portrayals of sexual activity

18>R18

• Strong fetish material, clear images of real sex, sexually explicit animated images and other very strong sexual images become acceptable

R18

The following is not acceptable:

• Material in breach of criminal law, including that considered to be obscene under the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• Material, including dialogue, likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (eg paedophilia, incest or rape)
• The portrayal of any sexual activity that involves lack of consent or any form of physical restraint that prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• The infliction of pain or any acts that cause lasting physical harm, whether real or simulated. Some allowances may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• Penetration of any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form a part of any clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse even if consensual is unlikely to be accepted

18

In accordance with the Human Rights Act 1998, the BBFC's concerns are unlikely to override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• Where the material is in breach of criminal law or has been created through the commission of criminal offence
• Where the material or treatment appears to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, society. For example the detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts or illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health and morals. This includes portrayals of sexualised violence which may eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. These may be acceptable in R18 works or "sex works"

In the case of video works, judgment may be harsher than in cinemas, due to the greater accessibility to younger viewers

Sex Education at 18

• Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted

Sex Works at 18

• Those whose primary purpose is that of sexual arousal or stimulation
• Those containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed as 18
• Those containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images or other very strong sexual images will be confined to R18 catergory

15

Discrimination

• The work as a whole should not endorse language or behaviour

Drugs

• The film as a whole should not promote or encourage drug misuse
• Misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is unlikely to be acceptable

Horror

• Strong threat and menace acceptable unless sadistic or sexualised

Imitable Behaviour

• Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied
• Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised

Language

• Frequent use of strong language permitted
• The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by the context
• Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable

Nudity

• May be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail
• No constraints on nudity in a non sexual or educational context

Sex

• May be portrayed without strong detail
• There may be strong verbal references but the strongest are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context
• Work whos primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable

Theme

• No theme is prohibited providing the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds

Violence

• May be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury
• Strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable
• Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is unlikely to be acceptable
• May be detailed verbal reference to sexual violence but any portrayal must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification

12A

Discrimination

• Language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the film as a whole
• Aggressive language or behaviour unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned

Drugs

• Infrequent
• Not glamorised
• Give no instructional detail

Horror

• Moderate physical and psychological threat allowed
• However disturbing sequences should not be prolonged or frequent

Imitable Behaviour

• Dangerous behaviour (eg hanging, suicide and self harm) should not dwell on detail
• Should not be presented as pain or harm free
• Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised

Language

• Moderate language is allowed
• Strong language must be infrequent

Nudity

• Nudity allowed
• In a sexual context must be discreet and brief

Sex

• May be briefly and discreetly portrayed
• References should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers
• Frequent crude references unlikely to be acceptable

Theme

• Mature themes acceptable
• Must be treated suitably for young teenagers

Violence

• Moderate violence allowed but should not dwell on detail
• No emphasis on injuries or blood, though occassional gory moments may be permitted if justified by context
• Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated and must have strong contextual justification

PG

Discrimination

• Unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of
• Also may be acceptable in a educational or historical context

Drugs

• Must be innocuous or carry an antidrugs message

Horror

• Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense
• Fantasy context may be a mitigating factor

Imitable Behaviour

• No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour that a child is likely to copy
• No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons

Language

• Mild bad language only

Nudity

• Natural nudity allowed
• No sexual context

Sex

•  May be implied but should be discreet and infrequent
• Mild references and innuendo only

Theme

• More serious issues may be featured (eg domestic violence)
• However nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour

Violence

• Moderate violence without detail may be allowed
• Should be justified by context (comedy, historical, fantasy)

U

Discrimination

•  None unless clearly disapproved of

Drugs

• No references unless infrequent and innocuous or educational anti-drug message

Horror

• Mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety
• Should result in a reassuring outcome

Imitable Behaviour

• No potentially dangerous behaviour that a child is likely to copy
• No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons

Language

• Only very mild bad language

Nudity

• Occassional natural nudity allowed
• No sexual context

Sex

• Mild sexual behaviour (eg kissing)
• References only

Theme

• Problematic themes should be treated in a sensitive and appropriate way for young children

Violence

• Mild violence only

Also note: Context is especially relevant in this catergory, a fantasy or animated context leading to much more relaxed treatment of main issues