Discrimination
There is no undiscriminating  language or behaviour unless
clearly disapproved of.

Drugs
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless
they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear
educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable
for young children.

Horror
Scary sequences are mild, brief and unlikely to
cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome
should be reassuring to the audience.

Imitable behaviour
There is no dangerous behaviour which young
children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic
or easily accessible tools or weapons.

Language
Usually has infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Nudity
very rarely contains natural nudity, and has no sexual context whatsoever .

Sex
Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and
references only (for example, to ‘making love’).

Theme
While problematic themes may be present, their
treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for a
younger target audience such as toddlers and very young children.

Violence
Usually contains some mild violence. Occasional there's a mild threat or
menace only



Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to
be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an
educational or historical context.  Discrimination by
a character with which children can readily identify
is unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be
innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or
intense and should not build up to much suspense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Imitable behaviour
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which
young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation
of realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Language
Usually contains mild bad language only.

Nudity
More frequent use of natural nudity, but again with no sexual context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be implied, but should be
discreet and infrequent. It should mainly use mild sex references and
innuendo only.

Theme
Where more serious issues are featured (for example,
domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should
condone unacceptable behaviour.

Violence
Contains use of more moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed,
if justified by its context (for example, history,
comedy or fantasy)





Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to
be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an
educational or historical context.  Discrimination by
a character with which children can readily identify or relate to
is less likely to be acceptable.

Drugs
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be
innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or
intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Imitable behaviour
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which
young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation
of realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Language
Usually contains more moderate use of  bad language only.

Nudity
Usually contains natural nudity, but with no sexual context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be more implied, but should be
discreet and infrequent. Should contain more mild sex references and
innuendo only.

Theme
Where more serious issues are featured (for example,
domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should
condone or promote unacceptable behaviour.

Violence
More Moderate violence, with some detail, may be allowed,
if justified by its context (for example, history,
comedy or fantasy).

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory 

language or behaviour. 

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not

promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily

accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example,

aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic 

or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and

self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be

copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised to much.

Language

There is usually be frequent use of strong language (for example,

‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be

acceptable if justified by the context but are hardly ever used. Aggressive or repeated

use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity is usually  allowed in a sexual context but without

strong or in depth detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a 

non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.

There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour,

but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable

unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is

sexual arousal or stimulation are usally unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is 

appropriate for the target audience.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell too long on the infliction

of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to

be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also

unlikely to be acceptable. 

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence

but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and

have a strong contextual justification.

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public

consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the

BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally 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 the criminal law, 

or has been created through the commission of a 

criminal offence

• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to 

risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, 

to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of 

violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, 

which may cause harm to public health or morals. 

This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised 

violence which might, for example, eroticise or 

endorse sexual assault

• where there are more explicit images of sexual 

activity which cannot be justified by context. Such 

images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in 

In the case of video works (including video games),

which may be more accessible to younger viewers,

intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. 

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.