Should We Follow the Age Ratings?

 by Indie Stone

Every time I pick up a DVD case or click on an interesting looking movie on modern day’s best friend, Netflix, the same discussion always begins in my head: ‘will my parents not let me watch this because it hasn’t got a “suitable” age rating?’

As video and movie entertainment is such a big part of children’s lives nowadays, it can spark some pretty big debates on whether what they’re watching is entirely suitable, or if it’s no big deal whatsoever - this is where age ratings come in. The age ratings will give a recommended age for that particular show, just to give a warning or advice to parents what the suitable age of viewing is. Age divisions in the USA and in Britain do not vary extraordinarily, but have their slight differences. In Britain, we are all familiar with the BBFC ratings: U (Universal), PG (Parental Guidance), 12A (12 Advisory) all the way up to 18 etcetera. Whereas in the US, they follow the MPAA system: G (General Audiences), PG (Parental Guidance), R (Restricted).

Understandably, every time a motion picture company is in the process of releasing a new movie or program, by self regulation they have to rate the product to measure parental reactions. Of course I agree to this, but on the other hand, it can be very vague. On the back of the DVD case or in extra information when watching digitally, it will give the rating/ and or give a brief description - if it’s rated Universal, it could just be, ‘Suitable for all ages - no material likely to harm or offend.’ I am not puzzled by this as the description strongly states that what the material has will not act on the viewer in any negative way. This rating is given to all the original Star Wars Movies - 1970 - as well as the newer Lego Star Wars, with a description of, ‘moderate violence and threat.’ But then it gets very indistinct. Take Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker for an example; it has exactly the same description (Contains Moderate Violence and threat), yet is actually rated 12. To me, this is utterly baffling. All these films have exactly the same premise - a universe in a galaxy far away, with fun, comic book violence. It hardly makes me jump out of my skin in terror and want to hide behind the sofa, peeking between the gaps.

But why are these rated differently, possessing the same ideas and characters, with the blaster-filled fun. How are you supposed to get a definite answer on the content of the film if it’s got the identical description of a film that has been gauged as Universal? What is the difference between them? Why is it so unclear? These are so many questions that are probably floating around parents’ heads all around the world. No wonder there are a plethora of websites guiding parents through the spider’s web of ratings.

The thing is, it’s the newer films that have the lofty ratings - is it the video quality that is more realistic, or does the realistic editing make it more scary? But then I jump to the conclusion that it might just be the violence that is not suitable for younger viewers - maybe comic book violence can affect some children in different ways. I’m no expert, but maybe the amount of times a certain act of violence is displayed in the movie may affect the rating, as it may stick with the younger viewer for a longer period of time and scare them in a particular way. I think it will all just depend on the maturity of the viewer and how they react - it may be a 6 year-old who is in a cinema watching a dinosaur movie, totally engrossed and hanging onto their seat, or a totally traumatized child the same age hiding behind their seat. Possibly, the 6 year-old may be able to distinguish fantasy from reality, but the other child might be more scared of the appearance of each character, and not realise that monsters aren’t part of ‘real life’.

So the question is still unanswered; should we all be totally aware of the ratings, or does it come down to personal preference, and do the parents need to decide for themselves what they want their children to enjoy, access and view.  So, for now, I shall continue to argue with my parents about the suitability of certain films and TV programmes in the evening. After all, that’s entertainment in itself.