Just seen news about first ever complaint going into British Board of Film Classification about the Railway Children [ www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23270980 ]. I take the point; you doubtless will too.
+However+, aren't there more pressing issues? The BBFC claim U-rated films are suitable for children from age 4 upwards (subject to parental discretion). Hold on; isn't that "discretion" awfully similar to what the G of PG stands for?
If "The Empire Strikes Back" were broadcast on CBeebies, I reckon I'm safe in writing we'd all be up in arms about the severed hand, the unresolved traumas of the ending, the dark psycological journey of Luke, the betrayal of Lando... Not really stuff for 4 year olds.
But "The Empire Strikes Back" is U-rated. And CBeebies is for all ages (particularly ages 0 to 6 according to the recent BBC Trust consultation).
And so we, as parents of younger children are expected to spend hours pre-watching new U-rated movies to make sure there's not an "Empire Strikes Back" in there. Or run the risk of seemingly endless nights of the whole family suffering for the suffering child's nightmares; not to mention the effects in the days afterwards.
"Suitable for all" is what it says on the packet for U-rated films (and, one day, websites?): www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/u
Well, now I +am+ the father, ... and I'm not impressed! Doctor Who on CBeebies? No. If the BBFC can introduce 12 and 12A, then they can sort things out lower down the age-spectrum too. And if that means less sales for "Monsters University" then so be it. My children can wait. They will be anyway; "Monsters Inc" caused enough problems!
But how about for you? How many better-spent hours have you spent pre-reviewing films for your children? Or resolving nightmares for your younger viewers? Do you feel the BBFC ought to be doing the reviewing job for you and all other parents of younger children (as it is nominally paid to) to save you time that would be better spent playing outside, making games, reading, working or doing other more constructive and productive things?