Why is age classification important for films and television programmes?

Age classification is an important part of film distribution. Without knowing the age rating for a film, a potentially underage audience member could watch harmful content. However ratings are predominately a guideline for parents to acknowledge and understand the content of a film and allow them to make the best judgement on whether the film is suitable for their child to watch. Organisations such as the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) were invented for the sole purpose to determine an age rating for particular content. The BBFC divides films into different classifications depending on their content and how it could affect the audience, ranging from U – 18.