A majority of parents in the UK are in favor of applying cinema-style age ratings to social media content, according to a recent poll conducted by OnePoll for the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The survey, which included 2,000 parents of children aged 12 to 17, found that 86% supported a partnership between the BBFC and social media platforms to ensure content is moderated according to the classification standards used for films shown in cinemas.

Parents expressed significant concern about the potential harm caused by unrestricted access to online content. More than half (55%) identified the mental health impact on their children as their primary worry, a figure that is twice as high as those concerned about physical health and nutrition, which stood at 27%. The survey also revealed that nearly 75% of parents would be more comfortable allowing their children to use social media if content moderation followed familiar age rating guidelines.

BBFC chief David Austin has called on social media companies to collaborate with the board to help address these concerns. In an open letter to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Austin, alongside 13 other signatories including the head of policy at the NSPCC and the chief of the Molly Rose Foundation, emphasized the inconsistency in current regulations. They highlighted that while a 13-year-old cannot legally watch an 18-rated film in cinemas, they can easily access similarly harmful or illegal material online.

Describing the survey results as a “wake-up call for the industry,” Austin urged immediate action to close this regulatory gap.

In response, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology acknowledged existing laws requiring platforms to block the most harmful content and noted ongoing efforts to enhance protections. The department stated it is considering a range of measures following a public consultation, including mandatory age restrictions, screen-time limits, safer design requirements, and restrictions on addictive algorithms. Officials emphasized that the issue is not whether to take action but how best to implement it.

The poll and subsequent calls from the BBFC underscore growing concerns among parents and policymakers over children’s exposure to online risks and the adequacy of current content regulation in the digital environment.