TL;DR: The Cheat Sheet
- Ratings are a floor, not a ceiling. An "E" rating tells you there's no blood, but it doesn't tell you if the game is a dopamine-loop nightmare designed to make your kid beg for "V-Bucks."
- The "Interactive Elements" matter more than the letter. Look for "Users Interact" (uncensored chat) and "In-Game Purchases" (the "surprise" spending).
- Cross-reference with community data. Use Screenwise to see what other parents in your district are actually allowing.
Quick Links to Popular Rated Games:
- Minecraft (Rated E10+) - The gold standard for creative play.
- Roblox (Rated E10+, but "Teen" for certain experiences) - A digital playground with high "spending" risks.
- Fortnite (Rated T) - Great social hub, but high-pressure cosmetics.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Rated E10+) - Incredible single-player adventure.
- Stardew Valley (Rated E10+) - Relaxing, low-stress farming.
We’ve all been there. You’re at the store or scrolling through the Nintendo eShop, your kid is vibrating with excitement about some new game they heard about on YouTube, and you see that little black-and-white box in the corner. "E for Everyone."
"Cool," you think. "It’s safe. No chainsaws, no f-bombs, no problem."
But three days later, your 8-year-old is crying because a stranger in a lobby called their avatar "trash," or you get a notification from your bank that you’ve just spent $114.99 on "Gems." Suddenly, that "E" rating feels like it left out some pretty important details.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) has been around since the 90s, and while it does a great job of keeping Grand Theft Auto V out of the hands of toddlers, it wasn't exactly built for the era of Skibidi Toilet mods and predatory loot boxes.
Here is how to actually read these ratings so you aren't the parent who accidentally buys their kid a ticket to a digital "Ohio" (that's kid-speak for "weird and cringey," for those of us still catching up).
Let’s do a quick refresh. The letter is the "Age Rating," but think of it more as a "Content Maturity" level.
This is the "G-rated" of gaming. Think Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Minimal violence (mostly "bonking" people with shells), no bad language, and no suggestive themes. The Catch: "E" doesn't mean "easy." Some E-rated games are incredibly frustrating for young kids, which leads to screen-time meltdowns.
This is the "PG" rating. You’ll find things like Minecraft or LEGO Star Wars here. It might have "Fantasy Violence"—meaning characters disappear in a puff of smoke rather than a puddle of blood—and maybe some mild "potty humor."
This is "PG-13." This is where Fortnite and The Sims 4 live. Expect some "simulated gambling" (like card games), mild suggestive themes, and more realistic violence.
This is "R-rated." Blood, gore, strong language, and sexual themes. Call of Duty is the big one here. Unless you want your kid learning new vocabulary words that will get them sent to the principal's office, keep these on the high shelf.
Ask our chatbot for games that are better alternatives to Call of Duty
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: The letter rating does NOT cover the people your kid is playing with.
At the bottom of the ESRB box, there’s a section called "Interactive Elements." This is where the real "parenting" happens.
1. "Users Interact"
This is ESRB-speak for "this game has a chat feature." Whether it's voice chat or text chat, the ESRB cannot rate what a 14-year-old in another state is going to say to your child. This is how "brain rot" culture and toxic behavior enter your living room. If a game has "Users Interact," you need to decide if your kid is ready for the Wild West of the internet. Learn how to turn off chat in the most popular games
2. "In-Game Purchases"
This is the red flag for your bank account. Games like Roblox or Pokémon GO are "free to play," but they are designed to make your kid feel like they need to spend money to keep up with their friends. Sometimes you’ll see "In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Elements)." That is a fancy way of saying "Loot Boxes" or "Gambling-lite." You pay $2 for a mystery box and hope you get the "cool" skin. It’s a dopamine trap.
Your kid doesn't want to play Among Us because they love "mild cartoon gore." They want to play it because that’s where the "social" is happening. In 2026, gaming is the new mall. If they aren't in the game, they feel like they aren't at the party.
The trick is finding games that satisfy that social itch without exposing them to the toxic junk. Check out our guide on social games that aren't toxic
Parents often ask me if Roblox is actually "good" because kids can "code" and "make money." The No-BS Take: For 99% of kids, Roblox is a consumer pit, not a creator studio. Yes, the potential to learn game design is there, but most kids are just bouncing from one "Tycoon" game to another, being bombarded with ads to buy "Robux." If you want them to actually learn to code, steer them toward Scratch or Code.org.
Before you hit "download," do a quick three-step vibe check:
- Who can they talk to? Can you set chat to "Friends Only"?
- How does the game make money? Is it a one-time purchase, or is it going to nag them for a credit card every 10 minutes?
- What is the "loop"? Does the game have a natural stopping point, or is it designed to keep them on forever (like Fortnite or TikTok)?
Instead of being the "No" parent, try being the "Help me understand" parent. "I see this game is rated Teen because of 'Violence.' Show me what the combat looks like?" Usually, when they show you, you’ll realize it’s just cartoonish Super Smash Bros. Ultimate style fighting, which might be fine for your family. Or you’ll see it’s a bit too realistic for your 9-year-old.
Check out our guide on having the "Screen Time Contract" talk
The ESRB rating is a great starting point, but it’s just the beginning of the conversation. It tells you about the pixels, but Screenwise tells you about the experience.
If you’re ever unsure, jump into our survey. We can show you exactly how many other parents in your kid’s grade are allowing Among Us or Brawl Stars, so you can make a decision based on your actual community, not just a label on a box.
- Check the "Interactive Elements" on the back of the next game your kid asks for.
- Set up "Ask to Buy" on your family sharing accounts so you never get a "surprise" $100 bill.
- Play the game with them for 15 minutes. It’s the fastest way to see if the "vibe" is right for your house.
Learn more about setting up parental controls on Nintendo Switch
Ask our chatbot about the safety of a specific game