Kijkwijzer warns

Kijkwijzer warns parents and educators of up to what age a television programme or film can be harmful to children. Kijkwijzer does this firstly by giving an age recommendation: All Ages, 6 years, 9 years, 12 years and 16 years. In addition, pictograms are used that show the reason for the recommendation: violence, fear, sex, discrimination, drug and/or alcohol abuse and coarse language.

= Not harmful / All Ages	= Violence
= Watch out with children under 6	= Fear
= Watch out with children under 9	= Sex
= Watch out with children under 12	= Discrimination
= Watch out with children under 16	= Drugs- and alcoholabuse
	= Coarse Language

Kijkwijzer does not advise on suitability

The Kijkwijzer age recommendation does not simply mean that a television programme or film is suitable for children of that age and above. Kijkwijzer makes no pronouncements on this. An example: a serious documentary bears the recommendation All Ages, because it contains no images that could be harmful to children. The film may nevertheless be unsuitable for young children, for example because the content is too complex.

Final responsibility rests with parents

Kijkwijzer does not pass judgement on the content or quality of television programmes or films. The preferences and standards applied by parents are too diverse to allow this. Kijkwijzer simply warns of possible harmful images in television programmes or films. Final responsibility for what their children can see rests with the parents.

There is however a legal stipulation introduced by the government concerning the age categories (see: 'The Law').

Products bearing the Kijkwijzer recommendation

Kijkwijzer is applied on virtually all audio-visual products on offer in the Netherlands, from television programmes and cinema films to films on DVD and video.

An exception is made on television for news and live programmes, as it is not possible to classify these in advance. However, the suppliers of these are obliged to take the broadcast time into account. Viewers must also be warned of shocking images in advance.

Kijkwijzer was introduced from 2002. This means that videotheques and shops may still have DVDs and videos without a classification, or with an outdated one.

Games, internet and mobile telephony

Kijkwijzer`s area of application is constantly expanding. Since April 2005, Kijkwijzer also applies to some of the services provided on mobile telephones. Further information on this can be found under ‘news’. For games, the international PEGI system is applied. This is very similar to Kijkwijzer (see also www.pegi.info).

The internet is not covered by Kijkwijzer. NICAM is following developments in this area with interest.

Where can you find the Kijkwijzer recommendation?

The Kijkwijzer pictograms can be found in television listings magazines, but also in cinemas, film guides, film websites, advertisements, posters and on the packaging of DVDs and videos. The pictograms are also shown at the beginning of a television programme. In addition, you will always find the Kijkwijzer recommendation for a television programme on Text page 282.

Broadcast times on television

In the case of television, the Kijkwijzer ages are linked to broadcast slots. Programmes with the classification All Ages, 6 and 9 years may be broadcast at any time of the day. Programmes with the classification 12 years may only be broadcast from 20.00 hours and with the classification 16 years from 22.00 hours.

The law

The government has introduced a legal stipulation in relation to the 16 years of age category. According to Article 240a of the Criminal Code, it is an offence for a cinema operator to admit anyone younger than 16 years of age to a film with the classification 16. This is irrespective of whether the person is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If there are any doubts about whether someone is 16 or not, the cinema operator may ask for ID or refuse entry. Videotheques and shops are also covered by this law and may not rent out or sell DVDs or videos bearing a 16 classification to anyone below the age of 16 years.

On the next page you can find more information about the Kijkwijzer classification-system:  

Classification