Classification guidelines and age categories for films:
If films or games are age-restricted, it means that they are legally restricted for all children under the specified age, but advisory for children of and above the specified age.
Means all ages category and means it is suitable for all.
Means all ages category but cautious sensitive viewers and indicates that parents and caregivers are in the best position to decide whether or not a child in their care may view film or DVD for home entertainment purposes.
Means that material in not suitable for children under the age of 7. A parent or caregiver may decide if the material is appropriate for children their care from ages 7-9, if it is of particular entertainment or educational value for such children. Children from the ages of 7-9 years may not be allowed to watch a film classified 7-9 unless accompanied by an adult.
Means that material in not suitable for children under the age of 10. A parent or caregiver may decide if the material is appropriate for children to decide whether or not a child in their care from ages 10-12, if it is of particular entertainment or educational value for such children. Children from the ages of 10-12 years may not be allowed to watch a film classified 10-12 unless accompanied by an adult.
Means that the material is not suitable for children under the age of 13.
Means that the material is not suitable for persons under the age of 16.
Means that the material is not suitable for person under 18 years.
Means only a holder of a licence to conduct the business of adult premises, set out in section 24 of the Act, may distribute the film to persons older than eighteen or exhibit such content to such person within such premises.
Means the material may not be distributed or exhibited in public by anyone and also not in the adult premises set out in the section 24 of the act. In the case of child pornography it may also not be possessed anywhere.
Mandatory classifiable elements applicable:
L
Alerts that there is use of bad language.
S
Indicates scenes involving sex, sexual conduct or sexually-related activity.
SV
Indicates scenes involving sexual violence.
N
Indicates scenes involving nudity.
V
Warns of physical and psychological violent scenes.
D
Alerts to scenes of substance (drugs and alcohol) abuse.
H
Alerts that there are scenes of Horror.
PPS
Photo or pattern sensitivity, motion sickness and reactions to low frequency sound.
CT
Criminal Techniques, and instructional details of illegal and dangerous acts that may be life-threatening and that are detailed enough to be re-enacted or self-instructional.
IAT
Imitative Acts or Techniques, where there are dangerous act or techniques that may be copied or imitate, especially by children.
CI
Competitive Intensity, is the degree to which a player gets personally involved, and the level of excitement created in the players as they engage with the various game levels in order to gain incentives and rewards.
P
Warns of scenes or language that is biased or prejudiced with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or other identifiable group characteristics.
The Film & Publication Board regulates the media environment through the classification of content by:
- Maintaining relevance to the values and norms of South African society through scientific research.
- Balancing the right to freedom of expression with an obligation to protect children from exposure to potentially disturbing, harmful and inappropriate materials.
- Protecting children from sexual exploitation in media content in order to educate the broader South African society to make informed choices.
The Film and Publication Board, helping you make informed choices on the films you watch, games you play and publications you read.
www.fpb.org.za | Toll Free: 012 661 0051