1.1.2007

The starting point

The age categories of audio-visual programmes are based on the Act on the Classification of Audiovisual Programmes (775/2000) and the amendment thereto, which entered into force on 1 January 2007. The grounds for the age classification are interpretation of the Act as well as presentation of the principles and procedures applied in the classification activity. The grounds are revised at an interval of a few years. They provide information on the background of the age-rating decisions to the public, the audio-visual programme industry and the authorities.

By its nature, the Act on the Classification of Audiovisual Programmes is a child-protection act. Its purpose is to protect children from possible detrimental effects of audio-visual programmes. According to section 7 of the Act "an audio-visual programme shall be considered harmful to the development of children when it is likely to have a detrimental effect on the development of children through its violent, sexual or horrific content or in a comparable manner". In accordance with the Act, in assessing an audio-visual programme, "the context and the manner in which the events are portrayed in the programme" shall be taken into account.

The primary goal of the advance classification of audio-visual programmes is to protect children. At the same time, the aim is to ensure, in accordance with the provisions on freedom of expression of the Constitution, that the freedom of expression of children is not unnecessarily restricted. Factors relating to both the protection of children and the freedom of expression are thus on the background of every decision on an age rating.

The classification of audio-visual programmes is based on the assessment of harmfulness. The basis for the setting of an age rating is the possible harmfulness of an audio-visual programme to viewers younger than a certain age. The age rating is thus not a recommendation but a warning and it is binding. In accordance with the Act, the age categories are: allowed to all (marked with number 3 in recordings), 7, 11, 13, 15 and 18. According to the Act, an audio-visual programme may be exhibited to a person two years younger than the age rating approved for it, when accompanied by a person who has attained the age of 18. The actual age rating set by the Finnish Board of Film Classification is, however, the age rating that the classification authority has assessed as necessary for the protection of children. The parents need carefully to consider whether to exploit the flexibility of the age categories as there are great individual differences in the sensitivity and development of children.

Audio-visual programmes meant for adults do not need advance classification. Only a notification thereon shall be submitted to the Finnish Board of Film Classification.

The age-rating decisions are not based on a mechanical application of the age-rating grounds but, in making each decision, the overall audio-visual programme and the context of an individual scene shall be taken into account in the manner required by the Act. Each audio-visual programme is also connected to a broader context: previous decisions and the decisions of other countries function as a point of comparison. Also the decisions of the Appeal Board of Film Classification functioning as the appeal body shall be taken into account. The classification activity aims at monitoring especially research on the effects of audio-visual programmes but also other research relating to media. The Board also follows the public debate on audio-visual programmes.

The entity of an audio-visual programme refers not only to the storyline but also to the handling of the theme, the general atmosphere and its distressing or light-hearted nature. A theme, for example, incest, may be extremely distressing even if the handling were only suggestive. Also the type of the film, i.e. the genre, is a factor with an effect on the age-rating consideration. An adventure film has a different age-rating forecast than an action film. This does not, however, mean that an action film is always more harmful than an adventure film. Also the age of the film has an effect on the assessment. For example, a horror film that was made decades ago has, in most cases, lost most of its effect.

The trailers of films are handled as independent works. With regard to trailers, the assessment scale applied is slightly more stringent than that of other audio-visual programmes as they lack the context mitigating the effects and as the viewer usually cannot know in advance which trailer he will see in a movie theatre.

PC and console games

Audio-visual programmes comprise motion pictures, video and DVD recordings as well as computer and console games. According to the Act, games are exempted from advance classification and therefor only a notification need to be submitted thereon to the Finnish Board of Film Classification. The producer or importer of a computer or console game shall, however, equip the game with a marking indicating the recommended age rating in accordance with the Act. The classification authority may order that a game be inspected if there is reason to suspect that the audio-visual programme contains material that is harmful to children.

In 2003, Finland joined the self-regulatory Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system. PEGI is a system designed in cooperation with game producers and national classification institutions where the age-rating recommendations are based on criteria agreed upon jointly. The criteria deviate to some extent from the age-rating grounds for other audio-visual programmes in use in Finland. With regard to games, for example bad language has an effect on the age rating. The Act on the Classification of Audio-Visual Programmes requires that the 18+ age rating is always binding, compelling, whether set by the self-regulatory system or by the classification authority. Likewise, the age rating of a game ordered to be inspected by the Finnish Board of Film Classification is binding as the age rating is based on the Act.

From the beginning of the year 2007, the Act on the Classification of Audio-Visual Programmes is amended so that the age rating of interactive audio-visual programmes need no longer correspond to the age rating of other audio-visual programmes. The 12+ and 16+ ratings of the PEGI system are thus in force also in Finland.

Age-rating logos of games and descriptors indicating the reason for the age rating (PEGI)





Violence Sex Fear Drugs Discrimination Bad Language Gambling

Age-rating grounds

Violence

The effects of violence in media on a viewer and the entire culture has been studied already for decades. Although the studies differ from each other with regard to their starting points and results, they show that violence in media has an effect on a minor viewer under certain preconditions. Violence in media is especially harmful to a child living in a vulnerable environment where violence is deemed acceptable. Violence in media may also cause distress, fear, anxiety and nightmares. On the other hand, the research has emphasised the primary role of social and psychological factors in explaining changes in behaviour.

Children of different development phases experience depictions of violence in different ways. In assessing the violence of a programme from the point of view of child development, the main questions are: is there place for violence in the world of the viewer, is violence solving problems or causing them, is the use of violence idolised or criticised, is the use of violence a well-founded part of the story and is there a counter-force for violence in the story?

Also different types of movies have an effect on the assessment of depictions of violence. Action, adventure and fantasy movies each have their own ways to tell the story and the aim is to take them into account in making the age-rating assessment. Violence is usually depicted most realistically in action movies. According to assessments presented in research literature, combining humour with violence is especially harmful with regard to its effects on attitudes. The same applies to sex-related violence.

Computer and console games usually contain a lot of violence of different types. The studies of players have produced various results on the effects of games. Many studies emphasise the active interaction of the player as a factor increasing the harmfulness but, on the other hand, it has been considered that the playing itself and progress in the game is of primary importance when playing a game.

Sexual content

There is relatively little research on the effects of audio-visual depictions of sexuality on children. It has, however, been assessed that depictions of sex unsuitable for the age level of a child may be very detrimental to development, give distorted models and shorten the childhood. Matters relating to sexuality and adult sexuality are often confusing to children and it depends on the development phase of the child, how well he can handle questions relating to sex. Themes related to sexuality that are especially difficult, such as depictions of sexual violence, need to be assessed carefully taking into account the current development phase of the child or youngster.

The way sex is depicted is also essential in making the assessment: is it implied, erotic or pornographic. In pornography, it is decisive to distinguish between soft and hard pornography. In hard pornography, sexual acts are displayed in detail, in soft pornography they are covert. All audio-visual programmes to be classified as hard pornography are only meant for adults and they are thus prohibited from those who have not attained the age of 18. In addition, the Penal Code forbids the exhibition and distribution of pornography depicting children, bestiality and violence as well as the possession of sexually obscene pictures depicting children. With regard to games, the sexual content is usually secondary although there are also pornographic games in distribution.

Striking of horror

Violence, sex and horror have already from the very onset of movies been part of their basic elements. Audio-visual programmes often contain a combination thereof. There is relatively little research on the effects of horror scenes on the viewers, especially children. Nightmares and various fears are repeatedly mentioned in the research on the experiences of children. According to research, also actual trauma symptoms are not uncommon with children if they are exposed to horror scenes meant for children of a higher age level.
The appeal to horror is in experiencing controlled fear. The viewer of a horror movie has at all times wanted to be frightened but, however, to maintain a certain level of safety. In assessing the harmfulness of the striking of horror on a viewer, the key element is the shocking nature. Striking of horror in an audio-visual programme may be likely to shock the viewer so that the consequence is long-term anxiety or fear. The decisive factor is again the entity of the audio-visual programme, especially whether there is a counterforce for fear and horror. It must also be observed that different things are experienced as being scary at different ages. Experiencing horror as entertainment required psychic abilities which develop with age.

Horror elements are common also in games. As the game graphics become more advanced, the special effects of horror also become more realistic and thus more detrimental.

Other grounds

Other grounds with an effect on the age rating besides violent or sexual content and horror are inter alia the use, selling or mediation of drugs depicted in the audio-visual programme as well as suicide shown therein. Also depicting dangerous behaviour in an idolised manner may form grounds for setting an age rating. According to the grounds of the Act, in applying these so-called comparable grounds, the main purpose of the Act as well as the nature of the forbidding grounds as restrictions of the freedom of expression safeguarded by section 12 of the Constitution shall be taken into account. Obscene or bad language is not entered in the Act as grounds for an age rating. It may, however, confirm another assessment.

FOR ALL AGES

Violence

Very mild violence or threat of violence. For example, in animated programmes, small kicks or slaps and shooting in the air.

Sexual content

Nudity without touching of sexual nature. Very discreetly implied sex-related scenes.

Striking of horror

Very mild frightening elements. Slight sound effects.

AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS OVER 7 YEARS MAY CONTAIN

Violence

Mild violence in audio-visual programmes where the story-line and the characters play the decisive role. Punches, kicking and threatening by a weapon are likely to lead to a higher age rating.

Sexual content

Sex discreetly implied. For example hugging and kisses not leading to actual sexual activity.

Striking of horror

Rather mild and short elements of horror. For example, monster figures and moderate sound effects in animated programmes.

AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS OVER 11 YEARS MAY CONTAIN

Violence

Violence not depicted in a very detailed or realistic manner. For example adventure films with fencing or shooting scenes or violence relating to fantasy figures.

Sexual content

Soft erotic activity justified by the story. Implied sex activity for example in movies depicting dating by young people.

Striking of horror

Shortish and rather mild horror elements also in realistic audio-visual programmes. Relatively strong sound and image effects.

AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS OVER 13 YEARS MAY CONTAIN

Violence

Rather realistic violence mainly in a fantasy context. An estranging setting lowers the impact of the experience. Also youth films with a rough theme where the violence depicted may be mild but the general atmosphere is based on strong implications. Also so-called anime films containing violent action.

Sexual content

Rather clear-cut sexual activity, however, covert with regard to details. For example teen-sex comedies where sex is depicted parodically and discreetly.

Striking of horror

Depictions of horror where excitement and fear are built mainly on the story-line and the characters. The intensive overall atmosphere effects the determination of the age rating. Rather realistic violence linked to horror.

AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS OVER 15 YEARS MAY CONTAIN

Violence

Detailed, realistic violence. Mild sex-related violence justified by the storyline.
For example mainstream action films with many scenes depicting violence. The violence is, however, not very prolonged or bloody.

Sexual content

Rather openly depicted sexual activity. Soft pornography where sexual acts are not depicted in detail.

Striking of horror

Horror scenes with a very intensive atmosphere and moderately shocking contents linked to the story line and the characters. Detailed, but, however, not prolonged or sadistic violence. Strong special effects.

AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS OVER 18 YEARS MAY CONTAIN

Violence

Fictive, very detailed, prolonged, exaggerated and sadistic violence. Very bloody and realistic violence. For example art-house violence films and films depicting head kicks or especially bloody violence (splatter, gore).

Sexual content

Hard pornography: a sex scene depicting real sex acts also in close-up. The category also covers for example legal S/M pornography.

Striking of horror

Very shocking horror scenes and scenes with a lot of bloody violence. Strong sound and image effects.

AUDIO-VISUAL PROGRAMMES IN VIOLATION OF THE PENAL CODE

In accordance with chapter 17, sections 17 and 18 of the Penal Code: Distribution of depictions of violence, distribution of sexually obscene pictures. Also chapter 11, section 8 of the Penal Code: Ethnic agitation and chapter 17, section 10 of the Penal Code: Breach of the sanctity of religion.
These mainly relate to the distribution of a recording depicting violence as entertainment as well as the distribution of sexually obscene pictures depicting children, sexual violence and bestiality. Also racist agitation and blasphemy against God.

The distribution of these audio-visual programmes may be forbidden only by a court of law. The Finnish Board of Film Classification shall, upon request, issue statements to other authorities.

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