If you have already subscribed to the fashion streaming platform, Sky Showtime, you must have come across several symbols next to the content you want to see. Some are quite simple because you have seen them thousands of times, but others seem somewhat confusing, although they are quite “fun” and original.
Well, explain to you that this one icons are part of what is known as Kijkwijzer or also Cinechecka Dutch classification system that has been used since the beginning of 2001 to provide information about the possible harmful effects of moviesvideos or series with young people.
In a nutshell, they show the features of that movie and the approximate “maturity” to watch it.
This system was born with the aim of receiving information about the content of the productions especially about violence, fear content, sexual depictions, discrimination, drug abuse and foul language and SkyShowtime wanted to use it for your streaming platform.
SkyShowtime content and age rating icons
The first thing that Kijkwijzer shows you, or in this case you can see on SkyShowtime, is an age rating: all ages, 6 years, 9 years, 12 years, 14 years, 16 years and 18 years. There’s not much to explain here, since It refers to the recommended minimum age to watch a movie or series.
For example, an icon with the number 6 indicates that this content tries to protect children from images that are inappropriate for their age, and the 18-year-old announces that you should not view it if you are not an adult.
On the other hand, and the icons that may be a bit more complicated, refer to the following aspects: violence, fear, sex, smoking/alcohol/drugs, foul language and discrimination (in that order as you can see in the previous image).
In the case of the symbol of violence, SkyShowtime explains that “Children who see violence can become aggressive or frightened. They can also easily think of violence. There are a number of factors that determine the likelihood of these harmful effects. For example: how real the violence is, if blood can be seen or if violence is rewarded”.
The symbol of discrimination, which really seems the latest (though very useful), wants you to know that that movie or series you are going to see contains discriminatory aspects based on race, religion, sexual preference, gender or nationality. Instead of canceling that content, they explicitly show you this symbol (the last one seen in the previous image).
Of course, it is really necessary that all content contains this symbolism and that it is perfectly aligned with the movies and series. The fact that everyone can know what to expect before clicking is a big advantage platforms like SkyShowtime.