TL;DR: The ESRB rating system is your first line of defense, but it’s not the whole story. While the letter on the front (E, T, M) tells you about the content created by developers, the small print at the bottom—Interactive Elements—is actually what tells you if your kid is about to get cursed at by a stranger or drain your savings on "limited edition" skins.
Quick Links for the "Can they play it?" conversation:
- Minecraft (Rating: E10+) - The gold standard for creative play.
- Roblox (Rating: T for Teen / ESRB "Users Interact") - A wild west of user-generated content.
- Fortnite (Rating: T for Teen) - Cartoonish violence but heavy social interaction.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Rating: E10+) - Massive, safe, and actually worth the money.
- Grand Theft Auto V (Rating: M for Mature) - Just... no. Not until they're basically moving out.
If you’ve ever bought a video game, you’ve seen those black-and-white boxes in the corner of the cover. That’s the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Think of it as the MPAA (the "Rated R" people) but for games.
The system was actually born out of a massive moral panic in the 90s when parents realized Mortal Kombat featured digitized characters ripping each other's spines out. Congress got involved, the industry got scared, and now we have a standardized way to know if a game is full of "Mild Lyrics" or "Intense Violence."
But here is the no-BS reality: The ESRB is great at rating what the game developer put in the box. It is significantly less helpful at rating what other people do once your kid goes online.
Let’s break down what these letters actually mean in the context of 2025 parenting.
This is the "G-rated" equivalent. Think Bluey: The Videogame or Super Mario Odyssey. There might be some "mischief" (Mario jumping on a turtle's head), but nothing that will require a therapy session.
- Parent vibe: Safe for the 5-year-old to play while you actually try to drink a hot cup of coffee.
This is the bridge between "kiddie" games and the stuff the older kids like. It usually means more complex themes or "fantasy violence." Minecraft lives here because you kill spiders and skeletons with swords, but they just poof into dust.
- Parent vibe: The sweet spot for elementary schoolers. Most of what they want to play is here.
This is where things get "spicy." You’re looking at suggestive themes, some blood (but not "shredded organs" level), and stronger language. Fortnite and The Sims 4 are T-rated staples.
- Parent vibe: Usually fine for middle schoolers, but you’ll want to check the "Content Descriptors" (more on that below) to make sure the "suggestive themes" aren't too much for your specific kid.
This is the "Rated R." We’re talking Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto V. Intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and every curse word in the book.
- Parent vibe: Unless you want your 10-year-old explaining the nuances of a heist or using words that would make a sailor blush, keep these on the high shelf.
Ask our chatbot for a comparison of T vs M rated shooters
If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this: The letter on the front is only half the story.
At the bottom of the ESRB label, you’ll see "Interactive Elements." In the digital age, these are often more important than the content of the game itself.
1. "Users Interact"
This is the ESRB’s way of saying, "Look, we rated the game, but we can't control the 14-year-old in Ohio who is screaming slurs into his headset." If a game has this label—like Roblox or Among Us—it means there is unmonitored (or loosely monitored) chat.
2. "In-Game Purchases"
This is the "Your Bank Account is in Danger" warning. It means the game will constantly bug your kid to buy "V-Bucks," "Robux," or "Skins." If it says "Includes Random Purchases," that’s code for "Loot Boxes," which many child advocates argue is basically introductory gambling for kids.
3. "Location Sharing"
Self-explanatory and rare in console games, but common in mobile apps like Pokémon GO. It means the app knows where your kid is.
Underneath the letter, you’ll see words like "Cartoon Violence," "Tobacco Reference," or "Simulated Gambling." These are your best friends.
A "Teen" rating for "Fantasy Violence" (Zelda) is a very different vibe than a "Teen" rating for "Suggestive Themes" and "Partial Nudity" (The Sims 4).
Pro-tip: If your kid says "everyone at school is playing it," check the descriptors. If it says "Blood and Gore," and your kid is still having nightmares about that one scene in Stranger Things, it’s an easy "no."
Learn more about what 'Suggestive Themes' actually means in games
We live in a world where kids are consuming "brain rot" content on YouTube or TikTok that features characters from M-rated games. Your kid might know exactly who "Huggy Wuggy" or the "Skibidi Toilet" characters are without ever playing the games they originated in.
The ESRB system helps you draw a line. It gives you the "parental permission" to say, "I know you like the funny meme, but the game it comes from is for adults, and here is why." It turns you from the "mean parent" into the "informed parent."
Every family's "line" is different, but here is a general community benchmark based on what we see intentional parents doing:
- Ages 5-8: Stick strictly to E. There is so much good content here (hello, Nintendo Switch Sports) that there's no reason to rush.
- Ages 9-12: E10+ is the standard. This is the age where they start begging for Fortnite (T). Many parents allow T-rated games at 10 or 11 but keep the "Users Interact" (chat) turned off.
- Ages 13-15: T is usually fine. This is the age to start having conversations about the "In-Game Purchases" and how they are designed to trigger FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
- Ages 16+: This is when the M games start creeping in. If you’ve done the work in the younger years, they’ll hopefully have the critical thinking skills to realize that Grand Theft Auto is a satire, not a lifestyle guide.
Don't just be a wall of "No." Use the ESRB rating as a conversation starter.
The "Not Yet" Conversation: "I see this game is rated T for 'Blood' and 'Language.' You’re 9. In our house, we wait until 12 for those kinds of games because your brain is still busy growing. Let’s look for an E10+ game that has the same kind of gameplay but less of the stuff that’s meant for older teenagers."
The "Money" Conversation: "This game says 'In-Game Purchases.' That means the developers are going to try really hard to get you to spend your birthday money on things that don't actually exist. If we get this, what’s our rule for spending?"
Check out our guide on how to talk to kids about screen time boundaries
The ESRB rating system is a tool, not a babysitter. It’s the "Nutrition Facts" label for games. It tells you what’s inside, but you still have to decide if it fits your family’s "diet."
Always look past the big letter. Check the Content Descriptors for your deal-breakers (like "Simulated Gambling") and pay close attention to Interactive Elements if you aren't ready for your kid to be talking to strangers online.
- Check the consoles: Most consoles (Switch, PS5, Xbox) allow you to set parental controls based on ESRB ratings. If you set it to "E10+," the console literally won't let them start a "Teen" game without your password.
- Look it up: Before you say yes to that new game they’re obsessed with, search for it on Screenwise to see the "WISE Score" and what other parents are actually saying.
- Play together: The best way to know if a game is okay? Sit down and watch them play for 20 minutes. You’ll know pretty quickly if the "Mild Lyrics" are actually "Lyrics I don't want my kid repeating at Grandma's house."
Ask our chatbot for a customized list of E10+ games for a 10-year-old boy