In 2007, prompted by concerns about child safety in relation to the Internet and video games, Prime Minster Gordon Brown asked clinical psychologist Dr Tanya Byron to carry out an independent review of the risks children face from the Internet and video games.

As the statutory body designated by Parliament responsible for classifying video games, the BBFC contributed to Dr Byron’s review.  Dr Byron spent several months reading, listening to and analysing evidence.  In March 2008, she presented her conclusions. 

In relation to video games, Dr Byron recommended that the existing systems which help parents restrict children’s access to games which are not suitable for their age need to be improved.  In particular, she proposed that the classification system needs to be reformed.  She also urged the games industry, retailers, advertisers, console manufacturers and online gaming providers to pool resources to raise awareness of what is in games and enable better enforcement.

Video Game classification from 1984 to 2008

There are two video game classification systems operating in the UK.  Since 1984 and by law, the BBFC has been classifying video games which contain gross violence towards humans or animals; human sexual activity; human genital organs or urinary or excretory functions; techniques likely to be useful in the commission of offences; and audio-visual material not integral to the game itself (such as advertisements, trailers, feature films or featurettes).   In an atmosphere free of commercial pressure, highly trained and independent BBFC examiners classify a game by playing it. 

They assess any harmful effects of the game and its acceptability to broad public opinion at the age group concerned.  In the most extreme cases, the BBFC can insist on cuts to a game or may even reject a game altogether.  It may also work with a games publisher on the marketing of a game to help reduce the risk of an unsuitable game falling into the hands of children.

Since 2003, this system of statutory classification by the BBFC has been supplemented by a self-regulatory classification system covering much of Europe.   Under this system, over 500 coders all over the world fill in a questionnaire about the content of individual games.  The coders are employed by the developers of the game.  The answers to the questionnaire determine the age rating of each game.  This system is called the Pan European Game Information (PEGI).  The majority of video games sold in the UK are rated under the PEGI system.

So in broad terms, the strongest, most problematic games sold in the UK are classified by an independent third party, the BBFC.  The less problematic games are rated by the company which produced the individual game.

Video Game classification in future

Having heard all the evidence, Dr Byron concluded that this system was flawed.  Consumers were confused.  PEGI classifications were not understood.  PEGI symbols and content advice were confusing.  Dr Byron therefore recommended that in future, statutory BBFC classification of video games be extended to all offline and online games which contain the sort of material (for example, graphic violence, nudity in a sexual context, bad language) which would be unsuitable and potentially harmful for younger children.  In short, any game with content that would require an age-related classification of 12 or above should be rated by the independent experts at the BBFC.  The most junior games which are unlikely to contain harmful content would continue to be rated by the games industry under PEGI.  

Dr Byron also recommended that BBFC symbols appear on all games because the public understands BBFC symbols and content advice far better than PEGI symbols and pictograms.  She also urged the launch of a high profile education campaign about video games and their classification, not least to empower parents and care givers in what can be a confusing landscape, where children’s knowledge often outstrips that of their parents. 

Because her recommendations involve a significant change to the classification system, Dr Byron suggested that the Government consult on the implementation of change.  The Government launched this consultation in July 2008.  It is expected to confirm how it will proceed early in 2009.

The way forward

The BBFC and the Government strongly support Dr Byron’s recommendations.  Whatever the outcome of the consultation, the BBFC looks forward to working with Government, the industry, consumer and child safety groups, and colleagues in the PEGI system to ensure:

• that video games are correctly classified to prevent unsuitable or harmful material falling into the hands of children;
• that parents have all the information they need to make informed choices about which video games to select for their children;
• the development of a high profile communications campaign about video games to highlight both the benefits and the risks of video games;
• that the classification of online games is strengthened to ensure not just a robust initial classification but that the evolution and moderation of games hosted online is independently monitored; and where necessary a game’s classification is adjusted to take account of new game content and the nature of a game’s moderation. 

What can you do?

If you have views on the future of video game classification, you should feel free to respond to the Government’s consultation.  The Government has given people until 20 November to comment.  The e-mail address for comments is gamesclassification@culture.gov.uk.

If you have any questions on video game classification, please contact the BBFC through the contact us section of this website.

Find Out More

DCFS - The Byron Review - Have Your Say

Reservoir Dogs The Video Game Case Study
BBFC Document 'Classification of Video Games'

BBFC Guidelines

BBFC Annual Reports and Research

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