26/05/2026
“It’s just common sense, isn’t it?” 📱
According to their parents, children aged 12-17 in the UK spend an average of 17 hrs 35 mins online every week.
We went out onto the streets and into schools to hear first-hand how both generations are navigating the realities of social media.
What we found was a shared concern: new research by the BBFC reveals that the mental health impact of harmful or inappropriate online content has become parents’ number one worry - outranking physical health and nutrition (55% vs 27%)*.
We believe that our trusted Classification Guidelines parents already know shouldn’t stop at the cinema door.
That’s why we’ve partnered with a coalition of leading organisations to urge the Government to introduce reliable, real-world guardrails across social platforms.
When it comes to protecting young people, consistent standards informed by the UK public are simply common sense.
Read the full story and our open letter: www.bbfc.co.uk/press-releases/parents-twice-as-concerned-about-childrens-online-safety-than-their-physical-health
*OnePoll research on behalf of the BBFC, surveying 2,000 parents of 12-17 year olds.