How Parents Can Use Video Game Ratings to Choose Safe Games for Kids

Published On: September 11, 2025

Ever peek over your kid’s shoulder at their game and wonder if it’s okay for them? You’re not alone. Good news: 84% of gaming parents already use a built-in tool to figure that out. It’s called the ESRB rating system.

Those little symbols on the box? They’re your best friend. But the real details are in the content descriptors. That’s where you learn about “animated blood” or “comic mischief.”

And get this a whopping 65% of games released last year were rated for Everyone. So there’s a ton of great stuff out there. The trick is matching the game to your kid. And your family’s vibe.

It’s less about banning games and more about choosing the right ones. We’ll break down how the ratings work, what those tiny descriptors really mean, and where to find the best resources. Because honestly? It’s not always obvious.

Why Video Game Ratings Matter for Parents

Think of game ratings as your quick, at-a-glance content filter. They’re there to flag the big stuff like intense violence, strong language, or mature themes. It’s all about helping you make a smart call before you buy.

And it works. 78% of parents actually use these ratings when picking out a game. That’s not a minor trend; it’s a majority.

But here’s the best part. For 82% of families, gaming isn’t a solo activity according to theesa. They’re playing together. So that rating on the box? It’s less about just saying “no” and more about starting a conversation. It becomes a tool for deciding what you’re comfortable with as a family. Pretty useful. Check out what parents are actually doing. The numbers tell the story.

Statistic	Value	Source
Parents aware of ESRB ratings	84%	ESRB Research
Parents regularly using ESRB ratings	78%	ESA Essential Facts
Games rated E or E10+ in 2024	65%	ESRB Blog
Parents playing games with children	82%	ESA Report

But these ratings aren’t just rules to follow. They’re a roadmap for healthy development. Get this: the right game can actually boost your kid’s brainpower. We’re talking problem-solving, creativity, the good stuff.

What to Watch For

Each rating comes with content descriptors that point out specific triggers, which assists parents in making better evaluations. These are not exhaustive but signal elements like violence or substance use, with “Mild” prefixes denoting lower intensity.

Descriptor	Description	Example Game Impact
Violence	Depictions of aggressive conflict, possibly with weapons or injury.	Intense in Grand Theft Auto V (M), contributing to its mature rating.
Blood and Gore	Realistic or graphic depictions of blood, mutilation, or dismemberment.	Prevalent in horror titles like Resident Evil Village (M).
Sexual Content	References to or depictions of sexual behavior, including nudity.	Varies from mild in The Sims 4 (T) to explicit in AO games.
Strong Language	Profanity or vulgar dialogue.	Common in Cyberpunk 2077 (M), affecting teen suitability.
Use of Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco	Images or references to substances.	Simulated in Red Dead Redemption 2 (M).
Crude Humor	Vulgar or bathroom-related antics.	Featured in South Park: The Stick of Truth (M).

Parents should cross-reference these with personal thresholds, as descriptors provide context beyond the age category.

Other Global Rating Systems

Ever see a different set of icons on an imported game? That’s probably PEGI. It’s the ESRB’s counterpart across Europe.

The idea is the same: keep kids safe. But the execution is a bit different. Instead of written descriptions, PEGI uses simple picture warnings. A fist for violence. A dice cube for gambling. It’s designed to be super visual you get the gist instantly, no reading required.

So while we get the detailed paragraphs from the ESRB, PEGI gives you the cliff notes. Different methods, same mission.

Now, for all those mobile games… that’s where IARC comes in. It’s a global system for app stores. Developers basically self-rate their game using a questionnaire, and it spits out a familiar-looking age category. It keeps things consistent across different countries.

But sometimes you want more than just a rating, right?

That’s where groups like Common Sense Media come in. They’re the critics. They go way deeper, reviewing a game’s educational value, its message, and the quality of its role models. They’re the ones who’ll tell you that Minecraft is fantastic for creativity and rate it 8+. It’s a totally different, super practical layer of info.

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Tools and Resources for Parents

Providing parents with practical tools improves rating systems. You can use the ESRB’s free mobile app to quickly find game ratings, and they also have a Family Gaming Guide for helpful advice.

Parental Controls on Consoles

Many platforms have embedded tools for age restrictions. Go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls on PlayStation to limit games by rating, set play time, and handle purchases. Xbox uses family groups to offer similar features, like content filters and screen time tracking.

You can set profile restrictions on the Nintendo Switch, and purchase/chat limitations on mobile (iOS/Android). According to the FTC, combine these with device-level settings to oversee completely, like turning off location sharing or limiting advertisements.

How to Use Ratings Effectively in Your Family

Before you download a new game, pull up the content descriptors together. Talk about what “fantasy violence” actually means.

Better yet? Jump into a co-op mode and see it for yourself. You get a firsthand look, and it becomes a shared activity, not an inspection.

It’s all about your kid’s maturity. A 14-year-old might be perfectly fine with the cartoonish action in a T-rated game like Zelda. But that same kid might not be ready for the intense gore of an M-rated title.

So set a simple rule: “We check the rating first.” Use built-in console tools to set time limits and spending locks. The goal isn’t to ban play it’s to make sure gaming fits comfortably into your family’s life, without the arguments.