What is the Age Rating System in Movies?

Cinema is a source of entertainment for people of all ages. However, not every movie may be suitable for every viewer. At this point, the age rating system is used. The age rating system informs viewers about the content of a movie and guides which age groups can watch that movie. In this article, we will talk about how movies are rated according to age.

Contents

  1. What is the Age Rating System?
  2. What is the Importance of the Age Rating System?
  3. How is Age Restrictions Applied in Movies?
  4. Age Rating System in Different Countries
  5. How Does the Age Rating System Work on Digital Platforms?

1. What is the Age Rating System?

First, let's explain what age rating is in movies. The age rating system is a restriction system that evaluates the content of movies and determines whether they are suitable for certain age groups. This system is made by considering elements such as violence, sexuality, drug use and vulgar language, which are generally found in the content of films. The aim is to help viewers, and especially parents, choose appropriate movies for their children.

2. What is the Importance of the Age Rating System?

The age rating system is important for moviegoers and especially parents in many ways:

Thanks to this system, parents can understand whether the content their children watch is appropriate for their age and decide accordingly. This ensures that children are protected from content that may negatively affect their development.

Viewers can be informed about the content of a movie before deciding to watch it. This is especially important for individuals who may be offended by sensitive content. In addition, it provides a more enjoyable cinema experience by evaluating the suitability of content for certain age groups.

Film producers can both protect their artistic values and achieve commercial success by producing content suitable for their target audience. The age rating system helps achieve this balance. It is important to determine appropriate content so that films can appeal to a wide audience.

The age rating system also plays an important role in maintaining social norms and values. It ensures that content that may have a negative impact, especially on young viewers, is kept under control and protects the general moral values of the society.

3. How is Age Restrictions Applied in Movies?

So, how is the age restriction determined in movies? If you are wondering; The age rating system is determined by viewing the film and analyzing its content, usually by a panel of experts. This committee pays attention to certain criteria when evaluating the scenes of the film:

  • Violence: The frequency and severity of violent scenes in the movie. Violent scenes can negatively affect the psychological state of the viewer and are therefore evaluated carefully.
  • Sexuality: The presence of sexual content and the way it is displayed. Sexuality is a sensitive issue, especially for young viewers, and therefore sexual content in films is carefully examined.
  • Rude Language: Use of profanity and slang. The use of vulgar language in films is evaluated in terms of whether it is appropriate for the age of the audience.
  • Drug Use: The use of drugs and the way they are displayed. Drug use is considered carefully as it can have negative effects on young viewers.

In addition, the following elements are also evaluated:

  • Substance Use: The use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and the way they are displayed. Such content is evaluated according to its suitability for the audience.
  • Obscene Man and Obscene Woman: The degree of obscenity and its potential effects on the viewer. Suggestive scenes are evaluated according to the overall content and context of the film.
  • Naked Man and Naked Woman: Frequency and nature of scenes containing nudity. Care is taken to determine whether these scenes are suitable for the audience.
  • Sexual Talk: Dialogue that implies or explicitly expresses sexuality. The impact of such speeches on young audiences is considered.
  • Nude Sex/Making Love: Explicit scenes of sexual intercourse. It is evaluated whether such scenes are suitable for underage viewers.
  • Nude Sculpture/Painting/Drawing: Works containing nudity in an artistic context. The artistic value of such content and its impact on the audience are taken into consideration.
  • Insinuation of Nudity: Indirect display or implication of nudity. The suitability of such scenes for age groups is evaluated.
  • Abusive Speech: Use of slang and abusive language. Attention is paid to ensure that such expressions are appropriate for the audience.
  • Gore: Scenes containing extreme violence. It is carefully evaluated to ensure that such scenes do not have traumatic effects on the audience.
  • Suicide: The way and frequency of showing suicide scenes. The potential negative effects of such scenes on viewers are considered.
  • Sex Insinuation: Indirect implication of sexual activities. The suitability of such scenes for the audience is evaluated.
  • Sex Without Nudity: Scenes that do not contain nudity but show sexual intercourse. The suitability of these scenes is evaluated.
  • Blood/Wound: Scenes of blood and injury. The graphic content of such scenes and their impact on the viewer are considered.
  • Homosexual Kissing and Heterosexual Kissing: Kissing scenes of individuals with different sexual orientations. The way and frequency of showing these scenes is evaluated.
  • Disturbing: General elements that may disturb the viewer. It is taken into consideration whether such scenes are suitable for the audience.
  • Dead Body/Corpse: Showing dead bodies and corpses. The graphic content of such scenes and their impact on the audience are evaluated.
  • Blasphemy: Expressions containing insults towards religion and religious beliefs. The impact of such content on the general values of society is taken into account.

4. Age Rating Systems in Different Countries

If we consider the issue of age restrictions in movies by country, many countries around the world have their own age rating system. Here are some examples:

United States

The system managed by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), is divided into categories such as G (General audience), PG (With parental guidance), PG-13 (ages 13 and over), R (Ages 17 and up with parental consent), NC-17 (Ages 17 and up definitely).

United Kingdom

In the system determined by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), ratings such as U (Everyone), PG (With parental guidance), 12A (12 years and above, with parental permission), 15 (15 years and above), 18 (18 years and above) is available. BBFC evaluates the compliance of films with social norms and thus ensures that content that may disturb society in general is kept under control.

5. How Does the Age Rating System Work on Digital Platforms?

In addition to traditional movie theaters, digital platforms are also subject to an age rating system. Platforms such as Netflix , Amazon Prime and Disney+ determine the age appropriateness of their content and present it to the audience. These platforms comply with international age restriction systems because they appeal to a global audience. The age rating system on digital platforms makes it easier for viewers to make more informed content choices and for parents to choose appropriate content for their children.

However, sometimes it can be difficult to control all content on digital platforms. At this point, Muvisafe comes into play. Muvisafe , It is an add-on that automatically filters inappropriate scenes in movies and TV series that viewers watch on digital platforms. This product allows families and individuals to have a safer and more comfortable viewing experience.

MuviSafe is an application developed in Turkey by Turkish software developers. To try it for free, you can click the Sign Up button at the top right .

In summary,

The age rating system in movies is an important tool to help viewers, and especially parents, choose appropriate content. This system evaluates films by considering elements such as violence, sexuality, strong language and drug use and provides guidance on their suitability for the audience. Although there are various age rating systems in different countries, the common goal of all of them is to ensure that content that may negatively affect society is kept under control. There is also a tool called Muvisafe , which automatically filters inappropriate scenes in movies and TV series on digital platforms such as Netflix , Amazon Prime, and Disney+, allowing viewers to make more informed content selection.