ESRB ratings (E, E10+, T, M) tell you what's in a game.
They don't tell you:
- If your specific kid can handle it
- What other parents at your school are doing
- Whether the online features will expose your kid to randos
- E (Everyone) = Content suitable for all ages
- E10+ (Everyone 10+) = Content suitable for ages 10 and up
- T (Teen) = Content suitable for ages 13 and up
- M (Mature 17+) = Content suitable for ages 17 and up
The ESRB also includes content descriptors like "Mild Violence" or "Online Interactions Not Rated."
That last one? Super important. More on that in a sec.
Here's the thing that makes game ratings weird in 2026:
Roblox is rated E10+. Seems fine, right?
But Roblox is a platform with millions of user-created games. Some are totally innocent. Some are... not. And the chat features mean your kid can interact with anyone.
The E10+ rating tells you nothing about what your kid will actually experience playing Roblox. Same with Minecraft servers, Fortnite voice chat, or any game with online play.
"Online Interactions Not Rated" is doing a lot of work there.
When you're deciding if a game is right for your kid, you need to know:
- What's in the base game (ESRB covers this)
- What happens online (ESRB punts on this)
- How your kid compares to peers (ESRB has no idea)
- Your family's specific comfort levels (ESRB can't know this)
ESRB handles #1. That's it.
We ask about your family first. Then we give you guidance that actually fits:
- What games does your kid already play? A kid who's been playing Minecraft for years is ready for different things than one who just got their first device.
- What are other families at your school doing? Context matters. Screenwise shows you community norms.
- What are your comfort zones? Some families are fine with cartoon violence. Others aren't. We adapt.
- What about the online stuff? We go deep on parental controls, chat settings, and what to actually watch for.
Don't throw ESRB out entirely. They're good for:
- Quick filtering - "No M-rated games in this house" is a reasonable rule
- Content descriptors - The specific tags (Blood, Suggestive Themes, etc.) give useful info
- Retail decisions - When you're standing in GameStop, it's a fast reference
But for the games kids actually spend the most time on—the online, always-updating, platform-style games—you need more.
ESRB ratings are the ingredients list. Screenwise helps you figure out if it's the right recipe for your kid.
Check out our guides on the best games for kids by age, Roblox safety settings, and whether your kid is ready for Fortnite.
Or take the survey and get personalized game recommendations.