Video Game Ratings for Parents

Source: Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

(14 ratings)

Managing the media your tween interacts with can seem overwhelming, but video games are actually among the easiest of entertainment products for parents to control.

The first thing parents of pre-teens need to know about choosing video games is that they have changed a lot since the days of Pac-Man, Pong and Frogger. The average video game player today is 35 years old (that's no typo), so it stands to reason that some games are not intended for tweens. That's why, just as with movies and TV shows, there are age and content ratings for video games.

ESRB Video Game Ratings

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has been assigning ratings to virtually every computer and video game sold in the U.S. and Canada since 1994. The ratings provide a clear and effective way for parents to determine which games they deem appropriate for their children. Notably, the PTA endorses the ESRB ratings as "an extremely useful and informative tool," and 76% of parents with children who play video games regularly check the ESRB rating when purchasing games. One of six rating symbols on the front of the box (e.g., E for Everyone, T for Teen, M for Mature, etc.) suggests age appropriateness for the game. On the back of the package, next to the rating symbol, are content descriptors that indicate elements in a game that may have triggered the rating or might be of interest or concern.

You can find out the rating of a game before heading to the store by checking the ESRB website. Once there, you can search not only by game title and platform (such as Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION3 or Wii from Nintendo), but also by rating category and content descriptor.

Beyond the Ratings

As with any choice a parent faces, the more information you have, the better decision you'll be prepared to make. That's why the ESRB now offers rating summaries, a supplementary source of information about game content which provide a brief descriptive explanation of the context and relevant content that factored into a game's rating. Rating summaries offer a straight-forward, objective snapshot of exactly what parents need to know when deciding if a game is appropriate for their child and are available when searching for games on the ESRB website, or right from the video game store via ESRB's mobile website at m.esrb.org.

Additional Resources

Additional information about games can be found on numerous websites and in game enthusiast magazines, many of which provide extensive reviews and details about game content. Some may even offer screenshots (pictures from the gameplay), interactive demos and trailers, which can give you a good sense of a game's content. The Parent Resources section of the ESRB website offers links to some of those websites, along with a few that recommend family-friendly video games.

Another good source of information can be employees at your local video game store. They are often gamers themselves, and are likely to be familiar with the games your pre-teen is pulling off the shelves, so don't be afraid to ask them for their recommendations or any other questions that you may have. And many stores have kiosks with playable demos of recently released games, which are a great way for parents to get a feel for them.

Many retailers support the ESRB ratings through voluntary education programs and by enforcing their store policy not to sell or rent M (Mature)-rated games to children under 17 without permission from their parent. You should check with your local retailer to make sure they have these policies in place and are actively supporting them.

Finally, one of the most important things you can do as a parent is to be involved. Have a discussion with your tween about the games he or she likes. And even though it may be intimidating to some of you, you might even try to play games with your children. Go ahead. Try it! You just might like it! Playing games together is a wonderful way to learn about your children's video games while at the same time having a lot of fun.

Check out these other video game related articles on tweenparent.com:

The Irony of The Sims and My Tween

Does Your Tween Need Help Managing Screen Time?

With Proper Limits, Video Games Can Offer Benefits

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.