What Censorship means;
The suppression of speech or other public communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, or sensitive to the general body of people as determined by the government, media outlet, or other controlling body.
Censorship within film
BBFC, since 1984, have to certify all videos sold/distributed within the UK. Its not illegal to posses an uncertified film however us is to sell or supply someone with.
There are 6 certificates that films fall into
U - suitable for all to watch
Parental guidance
12 years and over
15 years and over
Suitable for adults only
Rated 18 - Only to be shown in specialy lisenced cinemas and licensed sex shop.
Why Should Violent/Sexual Media Be Censored?
The negative effects on the mind
Desensitization; when a person becomes less sensitive to violence because of over exposure to such behavior via media.
Direct; Watching allot of violent media may make the viewer demonstrate/copy the behavior, IE they think such behavior is acceptable.
Stats
Over 60% of TV shows aired during prime time television contain violence.
More than 1000 scientific studies have been conducted and proven that children, if exposed to violent media they're behavior becomes more violent.
Already there have been crimes committed by children (statistically mostly male) that have said that their actions were influenced by video games, most commonly they have an addiction to video games.
Sexual media Effects
Crimes have been committed by children where they have sexually assaulted another young child and have stated that they were mimicking television porn that they had stayed up late to watch.
Most studies show that sexual media is addictive, if a child is exposed to sex/porn via media and become obsessed this will shape their behavior in later years.
No research has ever and may never prove that exposing children to violent/sexual media will make them commit violence or criminal acts themselves, however this still doesn't make it right.
Top 10 Rated 18 Movies
The Godfather
Pulp Fiction
Alien
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Films don't have to contain violent or explicit content to be censored, Exposing people to shocking media is just as mentally damaging.
In my opinion, some media should be censored especially to children. However the problem with censorship doesn't start and end with film, exposure to violence and sex is found in society in general. From the News to prime time Soap operas to situations at home, the issue is much more than film.
At the end of the day, it's in the parents hands to control what their children watch, however parents shouldn't have to battle against the media to keep their children out the way of explicit content.