Imitability is a content issue that some age rating systems included as a classifiable element.
It compasses techniques and behaviors that can be copied.
Self-harm, crime, anti-social and dangerous activities are included here.
BBFC[]
The UK is one of the countries most strict and worried in the imitability of dangerous, violent and criminal behaviours and techniques, during James Ferman times as director of the BBFC it was no strange that certain combat techniques (eg: headbutts, ear-claps, neck breaking etc...), weapons (eg: butterfly knifes, nunchakus etc...) and other type of acts that can be used for criminal purposes (eg: forcing doors, easy-inflammable techniques, etc...) were cut to retain a particular rating or even an 18 rating (compulsory cuts) especially in video releases.
No easily dangerous imitable techniques or anti-social behaviour in U or PG.
No emphasis on weapons in U, no glamourisation of contemporary realistic weapons in PG and 12/12A categories.
No detail in suicide, self-harm, asphyxiation, or promotion of anti-social behaviour in 12/12A.
Suicide techniques and behaviours with some instructional details will at least result in 18.
Material that causes imitability to the public good would be rejected.
Eirin[]
Crime is one of the eight criteria in the japanese Eirin.
Concise depictions of crime at G justified by plot, alcohol and tobacco consumption by minors as well as tolerance toward bullying, delinquency and other anti-social behaviour is not allowed. PG12 allows depictions of theft, shoplifting and criminal use of everyday objects but not detailed depictions of juvenile deliquency and bad behaviour as well as abuse of minors. R15+ depictions or violent crime like abduction, rape, human trafficking.... but with careful considerations. R18+ no depictions that can be linked to real-life crimes or glorification of criminals.
FPB[]
The South African's Film and Publication Board has two classifiable elements that deal with imitability: Imitable Acts and Techniques (IAT) and Criminal Techniques (CT).
Criminal Techniques are not permitted below 16.
OFLC (New Zealand)[]
Conducts that if imitated can be dangerous to oneself (eg: self-harm) are in the reasons to restrict, but not ban, a work.
The manner a work dealt with crime can lead to restriction or even a ban.
13 Reasons Why was mainly given a RP18 (restricted to 18 and older unless when accompanied) because of the fear that teens can imitate the suicidal behaviour present in the series though allowing to see it with adult accompaniment as the show also have anti-suicide messages.
The book To Train Up a Child was classified as unrestricted, the reasoning was that although the book promotes illegal methods of children education under NZ law, recent survey trends demonstrated that few people supports child smacking which suggested attempts to follow the methods described in the publication is unlikely for most New Zealanders.