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Age Restricted Goods - DVD's, Videos, Computer Games:

By law almost all DVDs, Videos (if you can still buy them?) and Computer Games have to be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) before people can watch or buy them.

The BBFC is the body appointed by Government to do this. Classifications help people to make informed choices about what they are going to watch and play. If it will be scary or violent or if it’s OK for their younger brothers and sisters to watch are good examples of what the film certificates are used for.

Here is what all of the certificates mean.

Uc Rating:

Suitable for all but especially children under five. Examples include Bob The Builder, The Fimbles and Teletubbies.

U Rating:

Stands for 'Universal', meaning the film, video or DVD is suitable for anyone. Examples include Shrek 2 and Wallace and Gromit.

PG Rating:

Stands for 'Parental Guidance', which means that some parts of the film might not be ideal for younger children... Parents ought to think carefully before taking them! Recent examples are Spider-man 2 and Thunderbirds.

12A Rating:

Is only for films released at the cinema. It tells parents that the film is best suited for those aged 12 and above. Parents can take along under-12s if they choose, so long as they accompany them. Example: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

12 Rating:

Is now only ever seen on videos and DVDs. As with the 12A, it tells parents that the content is best suited for those aged 12 and above. Recent examples, all of which were also certified 12A for cinema, include Van Helsing.

15 Rating:

Tells us that the film, video or DVD is really only suitable for those aged 15 or above. Only people aged 15 or older are allowed to view a 15-rated film at the cinema.

18 Rating:

Tells us that the film, video or DVD is only suitable for adults (people aged eighteen or more). Only adults are allowed to view an 18-rated film at the cinema.

The Video Recordings Act 1984 makes it an offence to supply videos to children and young persons below the age at which the films or games have been classified. The maximum for selling a video product to a person under its age classification is £5000 and/or six months imprisonment.