The BBFC is the agency that gives age ratings for films shown in the UK. Their research into swearing involved 1,000 people and used focus groups and in-depth interviews. Researchers found that roughly one third of people are more likely to use strong swear words than five years ago.

However, there is a clear divide between generations, with 18-34-year-olds most likely to accept swearing as a normal part of everyday life.

Older people were far less prepared to accept swearing as an acceptable part of social intercourse.

As many as 75 percent of over 65s said they would not use strong expletives in public.

At the same time, the research found that parents were keen “to protect” their kids from swearing “for as long as possible.”

Although admitting to swearing among friends, two-thirds of parents said they would avoid doing it, if they thought their children under the age of 16 could hear them.

They also indicated they did not want age restrictions weakened for swearing in movies or DVDs.

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It was started by the film industry in 1912 when local authorities began to impose their own, widely varying, censorship standards on movies.

The idea was to bring some consistency to setting and maintaining standards.

Statutory powers over film remain with the local councils, which can overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions on appeal.