As a parent, you want to protect your child and keep them safe and secure. You make them wear a seat belt, carry a cell phone, and require them to check in when they’re away, among other things. And while you can likely answer the question “It’s 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?”, it may be more difficult to answer the question “It’s 3 p.m., do you know what video game your child is playing?”. The latter may be just as important as the former.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) can help you assess the games already in your home and help you make informed choices for future game purchases. On virtually every video game created now, you’ll find a rating symbol as well as a description of the content. This information can help you make better decisions regarding the games they own, rent, or want to purchase.
Here is a description of each rating, and what each symbol means:
EARLY CHILDHOOD – These games are suitable for ages 3 and older. You should find no material at all that is inappropriate.
EVERYONE – These games are suitable for ages 6 and older. Check the content description symbol for more information. There, you may find something along the lines of “mild language”.
EVERYONE 10+ - These games are suitable for ages 10 and older. Check the content description symbol for more information. There, you may find something along the lines of “fantasy violence”.
TEEN – These games are generally suitable for ages 13 and older. Check the content description symbol for more information. There, you may find something along the lines of “crude humor” or “suggestive themes”.
MATURE – These games aren’t for kids. They should be played only by those ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain extreme violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
ADULTS ONLY – These games are for adults age 18 and over. There may be intense violence, sex, and nudity, among other things.