Ratings change for an online world

CENSORS: Film classifications are to shift to tackle a media world which has “changed beyond all recognition” and reflect the public’s altered views of sex and violence.

They said young people are more disturbed by “credible real-life scenarios”, and there is a greater clamour to control violent sexual content.

FILM CLASSIFICATIONS are to shift to tackle a media world which has “changed beyond all recognition” and reflect the public’s altered views of sex and violence.

A study showed young people are more disturbed by “credible real-life scenarios”, and there is a greater clamour to control sexual content over violent material.

New guidelines have been released by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to protect people watching potentially disturbing content through online streaming services rather than on DVD or at the cinema.

A consultation involving more than 10,000 people found that 97 per cent of both young people and parents want guidelines in place for online content, the BBFC said, with the majority of the public wanting tougher classification.

The research also showed a tolerance of violent scenes, but a call for tighter control of sexual depictions. There was a demand for higher classifications for media featuring depictions of rape and sexual assault.

Real-world scenarios were found to be the most troubling for audiences, and young people in particular were uncomfortable with portrayals of discrimination, terrorism, self-harm and suicide. New guidelines will seek to address the changing needs of the British public, and bring order to ever-increasing content from non-traditional media.

The BBFC’s chief executive, David Austin, said: “Over the last five years the way we consume film and video has changed beyond all recognition. That’s why it’s so important that there is consistency between what people watch on and offline.

“The research shows that parents and teenagers want us to give them the information and guid- ance that they need to view what’s right for them. We are updating our standards around depictions of sexual violence and very strong sex references to reflect changes in public attitudes.”

The BBFC claims that British audiences consulted on classifications had changed their views of sex since 2014, and wanted higher classifications for sexual content. Strong sexual references and what the BBFC called “the language of pornography” were also expected to make a production an 18 certificate.

The study claimed young people are particularly concerned about viewing fictional scenarios which could potentially happen to them. A surprising 95 per cent of teenagers called for stronger classification, the BBFC said.

The not-for-profit organisation, which began as the British Board of Film Censors in 1912, will release its new guidelines on February 28.