BBFC to tighten sex, nudity swearing in changes to classification guidelines

Sex, nudity and swearing that were previously acceptable in films with a 12 or 12A rating are now more likely to be rated 15 under updated guidelines announced today.

The BBFC has carried out its first major audience research for five years, speaking to 12,000 people across the UK.

Viewers now want “a more cautious approach” to sex scenes that are on the border of a 12/12A and a 15, it said.

BBFC said: “Parents are concerned about the normalisation of bad language, especially terms with sexual or misogynistic connotations. For example, terms such as ‘son of a bitch’, ‘bitch’, ‘dick’. The worry is that young viewers may hear and repeat such language. Language such as this may now require a higher age rating.”

The research also indicated that audiences were happy for classification to be more lenient towards some sex references at the border of 15 and 18, especially in comic contexts.

The last time the BBFC carried out such research was in 2019. Then, as now, sexual violence remains the biggest area of concern for UK audiences.

President, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE said: “At the BBFC, we’re dedicated to ensuring what we do is responsive to the ever-evolving world around us. Since we last asked people across the country what they thought about our standards, society has changed, and opinions have followed – it’s fascinating how this vast body of new research reflects this.

“This is the first Classification Guidelines update I have overseen as President. Not only am I proud and thrilled to launch these findings, but as someone who has always looked to the BBFC for guidance for myself and my family, seeing first-hand the level of dedication and insight that went into this process has been eye-opening and inspiring. Without a doubt, we are truly shaped by you.”