Age Restrictions and Censorship

Part 1

1. What was the last film you saw at the cinema/on TV/DVD/on the internet?

2. Briefly describe the film to your group.

3. What was the age limit?

4. Did the film contain any shocking scenes?

5. What’s the scariest/most shocking film/TV show you’ve ever seen?

6. Do you remember any specific films or TV shows that had a big effect on

you when you were younger? Did any films give you nightmares?

7. What’s your opinion of the current system for age limits on films? (U, PG,

12A etc.) 8. Do you think people follow the system?

9. If you have children do you let them watch films with a higher age limit than

their age?

10. Did these limits exist when you were a child?

11. Did your parents let you watch films with a higher age limit than your age?

12. Do you know the rules for what can and can’t be shown on TV? Do TV

stations edit/censor parts of films when they are on TV? (For example in the UK violent films or films containing nudity can only be shown after the ”watershed” (9pm) Part 2 Look at the following list. In your groups discuss each item and think about an age limit for each one. Also think about the effect each one could have on young children. Share any experiences you have.

Images of:

 people using drugs  blood  songs with explicit lyrics  news containing images of dead  scenes of people smoking people  kissing  shooting  nudity 1. How have films/TV shows changed during your lifetime? Do they contain

more or less of the things in the list?

2. What changes would you make to censorship laws/age restrictions if you

were in government?

3. Whose responsibility is it to make sure that children are not exposed to

things they shouldn’t see? Parents? Government?

4. What effect do you think violent films, TV shows and videogames have on

children and people in general? 5. Can you think of specific examples of games/shows/films that cross the

line? (that are too violent)