How Has Netflix Age Rated Everything?
As reported by the BBC, everything on the UK version of Netflix now comes with an age rating thanks to a partnership with the BBFC.
The BBFC was founded in 1912 and is the primary organization that classifies films released theatrically and physically in the UK.
While digital streaming services aren’t required to have content classified by the BBFC, Netflix have voluntarily chosen to do so.
Netflix’s employees watched everything on the service, tagging scenes unsuitable for young children: sex, violence, swearing, and so on.
All of this data was then fed into an algorithm. This can now be used to detect those types of scenes in new content and automatically assign an age rating.
Putting everything into the hands of an algorithm is never going to be perfect, especially when the data has been fed in by humans in the first place. However, the monumental task of having age ratings on over 10,000 pieces of content can only be applauded.
What Are the Benefits of Age Ratings?
In a statement, Netflix director of Ratings Policy and Compliance Jessica Stansfield said:
The aim is to allow parents to better control the content that their children watch. According to the BBFC, its research shows that 85% of parents and 95% of teenagers want age ratings on streaming platforms.
The UK’s Digital and Culture Minister praised the partnership, saying that the move will help children avoid age-inappropriate content and that other streaming services are urged to follow suit.
Indeed, the BBFC is currently in talks with 21 other streaming services and social media sites to achieve similar to what they have with Netflix. That list includes Sky Store, Curzon Home, and BFI Player.
Currently, this algorithm has only been applied to Netflix’s UK catalog. It could be expected to roll out worldwide, though each country uses a different age classification system.
Video Games Have Age Ratings Too
Movies and TV shows aren’t the only entertainment that have age ratings. Video games receive them too, and if you’re a parent it’s important to know what they mean.
