Parental Controls

What’s in a game? Find out from the ESRB Rating System.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the non-profit, self-regulatory body for the video game industry. Established in 1994, ESRB assigns age and content rating information for video games and apps to help parents and caregivers decide which are appropriate for their family.

The ESRB Advertising Review Council (ARC) enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and the Privacy Certified program helps members ensure responsible online and mobile privacy practices.

The ESRB rating system in a nutshell →

Rating categories
Suggest age appropriateness (such as “T” for youth ages 13 and up).
Content descriptors
Indicate content that may have prompted a particular rating (such as violence, alcohol references or crude humor).
Interactive elements
Highlight a game’s interactive or online features (such as users’ ability to communicate with other users or to make in-game purchases).

Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.

Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.

Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real currency.

Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating. Appears only in advertising, marketing and promotional materials related to a physical (e.g., boxed) video game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game’s rating once it has been assigned.

Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating but anticipated to be rated Mature 17+. Appears only in advertising, marketing, and promotional materials related to a physical (e.g., boxed) video game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game’s rating once it has been assigned.

Other essential resources from the ESRB.

Mobile App
Allows parents to look up rating information when considering a game for purchase.

Family Gaming Guide
Helps parents establish household rules for the whole family.

¡Vamos a Jugar!
For resources in Spanish, check out the ESRB’s.

Q&A with ESRB President Patricia Vance
Learn about ESRB and tools available to parents.

Parental controls at your fingertips.

Virtually all devices – including consoles, smartphones, tablets and PCs – provide controls to manage video gameplay. These controls offer parents and caregivers several easy-to-use tools.