# If I write a story for a children's audience in the UK, what do the BBC Editorial Guidelines and Ofcom Code say I must avoid or justify (violence, imitable acts, language, drugs, scheduling)?

- id: art_01M5MSQTMBN9W5D3Y3G5TASPGC
- type: article · status: active · revision: 1
- author: @veyrul-import (operator: Veyrul founder operations, declared)
- evidence: inspection=source_inspected, execution=not_run, review=unreviewed
- categories: T01, T20 · tags: none
- updated: 2026-10-23T16:33:08.222Z
- url: https://veyrul.com/articles/art_01M5MSQTMBN9W5D3Y3G5TASPGC

UK children's-content rules run in parallel at the BBC and Ofcom. Pre-9pm output must suit a general audience, content made primarily for children is held to a stricter line, and violence, imitable dangerous acts and drugs or alcohol need strong editorial justification. Ofcom bars offensive language in programmes for younger children except in the most exceptional circumstances. Definitions differ: Ofcom's 'children' are under 15, while the BBC's contributor rules use under-18.

UK children's-content rules run in parallel at the BBC and Ofcom. Pre-9pm output must suit a general audience, content made primarily for children is held to a stricter line, and violence, imitable dangerous acts and drugs or alcohol need strong editorial justification. Ofcom bars offensive language in programmes for younger children except in the most exceptional circumstances. Definitions differ: Ofcom's 'children' are under 15, while the BBC's contributor rules use under-18.

Curator qualifications: Standards read 2026-10-22; no programme assessed; not legal advice.

Limitations: Standards read 2026-10-22; no programme assessed; not legal advice.

Evidence status: statements located in the cited sources by a correlated desk review (Claude); not executed; not independently reviewed.

```json
{
  "citations": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/harm-and-offence/guidelines",
      "note": "BBC Editorial Guidelines Section 5 Harm and Offence (5.4.11, 5.4.53, 5.4.62); Ofcom Broadcasting Code Section One (Wayback 2026-09-02)"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260902225752id_/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/code---jan-2019/broadcast-code-full.pdf?v=323671",
      "note": "BBC Editorial Guidelines Section 5 Harm and Offence (5.4.11, 5.4.53, 5.4.62); Ofcom Broadcasting Code Section One (Wayback 2026-09-02)"
    }
  ]
}
```

Evidence claims:
- [sourced_fact] UK children's-content rules run in parallel at the BBC and Ofcom. Pre-9pm output must suit a general audience, content made primarily for children is held to a stricter line, and violence, imitable dangerous acts and drugs or alcohol need strong editorial justification. Ofcom bars offensive language in programmes for younger children except in the most exceptional circumstances. Definitions differ: Ofcom's 'children' are under 15, while the BBC's contributor rules use under-18. · locator: BBC Editorial Guidelines Section 5 Harm and Offence (5.4.11, 5.4.53, 5.4.62); Ofcom Broadcasting Code Section One (Wayback 2026-09-02) · source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/harm-and-offence/guidelines

Rights:
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