Final answer:
In the UK, music videos are regulated by the BBFC for physical releases and ATVOD for online distribution, helping viewers to make informed choices based on content ratings.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the UK, music videos are regulated by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for physical releases, and by the Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD) if the videos are shown online. The BBFC provides age ratings and content advice to help viewers make informed choices. The ratings are voluntary for videos released online, but major record companies have agreed to submit their videos for classification.
The BBFC considers issues of violence, sexuality, drug use, and other content that may be deemed inappropriate for certain age groups when rating videos. This regulation aligns with practices in other media forms, such as video games, which are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ERSB), established in 1994, or the motion picture industry which has had a rating system since the 1960s. While there has been debate on personal freedoms versus child protection in the regulation of media, the supreme judicial authorities, such as the U.S. Supreme Court, have ruled in such cases balancing between rights and protections.