U and PG Certificates

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classifications) is very specific about the certifications they give the films that come out. U and PG are particularly linked with young and children as they’re seen as ‘child friendly’.

U Certification

U stands for UNIVERSAL and is deemed suitable for all ages above 4 years old, although some films may be suitable for audiences younger than that. The U certificate has very specific standards that a film must apply to.                  

There can be no discriminatory language unless the context in which it is being used is clearly frowned upon.

In a U film all drug references, both legal, illegal, and misuse, must have an obvious anti-drug message that the children that are watching can understand.   

Any scary or horror sequences in a U film must be kept short and must not cause over-longing fear to the child watching. The ending should be making the child aware that they are always safe.

There should be nothing in a U film that the child could imitate and potentially cause danger to them. Realistic and easily accessible weapons should be used to cause harm in the film either to avoid children copying the actions.

Only very mild bad language can be used in a U certified film and it must be very infrequent.

A U film can only contain occasional natural nudity, which must have no sexual content whatsoever.

Sexual content in a U film must be kept to a minimum. Mild behaviour such as kissing is valid and sex can only be referred to lightly, for example ‘making love’.

A U certified film’s themes must be appropriate for young children. Any upsetting themes must be treated careful and suitably for young children.

Threat and violence in a U may only be mild. Occasional menace can be present too, but only this.

PG Certification

PG stands for PARENTAL GUIDANCE. All children may watch a PG without an adult accompanying them. The film should be viewable without worries to an 8 year old or over, but it is recommended that a parent or guardian is fully certain that their child will be alright watching the film. The film could upset younger children.

Like the U certified films discriminatory behaviour is once again unlikely to be acceptable unless once again the context is obviously disapproved of. Discriminatory behaviour by a character that children watching can relate to is also unacceptable.

Any reference to drugs in a PG film must be accompanied by a strict anti-drug message.

Any horror sequences in a PG must not be prolonged to avoid instigating fear in the viewer. Fantasy settings may add to the fear of a horror sequence.

Any realistic and potentially dangerous weapons must not be glamourized and no detail of anything that the viewers are likely to copy which could cause them harm.

PG certified films may contain only mild bad language.

Like the U films any nudity must be natural and without sexual content.

In a PG film, sexual references and activity can be infrequently implied, but mild references and innuendo only.

Themes in a PG film can be more problematic than in U films, more serious issues can be addressed but nothing should idolise unacceptable behaviour.

Above from a U, moderate violence is allowed in a PG if without full graphic details and is justified by its context, such as fantasy or comedy.