Åldersklassningar

Åldersklassningar, or age classifications, are formal systems used to indicate the appropriate audience for media, products, and activities. They help consumers, parents, and policymakers make informed decisions about suitability, especially for minors. In Sweden the most common age classifications appear in film, television, video games, books, and retail goods. The Swedish Film Institute assigns categories such as 0, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 for motion pictures. Television content used to follow a similar scale, though newer broadcasting platforms now often use the SPA rating system. For video games, the Swedish Board for Consumer Protection provides a rating system which aligns with the international ESRB and PEGI scales, ranging from 0 to 18+.

Book ratings are less formalized; some publishers use the Swedish child literature classification S (Sweden) recommended for children 0–9, but official rating of books is rare compared with film and games. Retail products like alcohol and cigarettes carry legal age restrictions (20 and 18, respectively). In sports and recreational activities, organizational bodies such as the Swedish Sports Confederation employ age groups for eligibility in competitions and training.

Historically, age classifications evolved from moral and safety concerns in the early 20th century to more nuanced psychological and developmental considerations. Today, the systems are regulated by national authorities and often harmonized with European or international standards to ensure consistency across borders. The primary purpose of these classifications is to protect younger audiences from potentially harmful content while providing transparency for consumers.