Content issues are elements in media that determine the age rating given by a ratings authority. The highest degree of impact of a content issue is what determines the age rating of a work. Content issues may also help adults decide on whether it is appropriate for their children to see/play it. For example, most works that have been given an age rating by the BBFC have a "Ratings Info" which shows the content issues of a work that determines the age rating given by the BBFC.
Common content issues[]
- Theme(s): the overall theme of the work. Themes are usually more mature at higher age ratings.
- Violence: how scenes of violence are shown in a work. There may be gory violence at higher age ratings.
- Sex: how sexuality is treated in a work. Strong sexual images are usually present at higher age ratings.
- Nudity: how nudity is treated in a work. Sexual nudity may be present at higher age ratings.
- Offensive language: how profanity is said (written or voiced) in a work. Strong language may be present at high age ratings.
- Substance use: how substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are treated in a work. There may be illegal drug use at higher age ratings.
- Gambling: specifically used for video games; how gambling elements are shown in a video game. At higher age ratings, there may be times where the player can gamble with in-game currency, while games containing real gambling are generally confined to adult age ratings.
- Fear: how scary content is presented in a work. Sustained horror may be present at higher age ratings.
Other content issues[]
- Imitability: How and what types of imitable techniques and behaviors are shown in a work. Criminal and suicidal instructional details may be present at higher age ratings.
- Discrimination: How discriminatory acts and language are treated in a work. Banalization or glorification of discriminatory-based behavior may be present at higher age ratings.
- Blasphemy: How religiously profane content is presented in a work. Explicit language and elements that are religiously profane may be present at higher age ratings.
If a work does not have any content issues, it is likely to be suitable for all ages. However, works may receive age ratings based on unorthodox content advisories that do not have any of the above content issues.