TL;DR: Ratings like PG, TV-Y7, and E10+ are helpful baselines, but they aren't the whole story. A "PG" rating in 2026 doesn't mean the same thing it did in 1994, and an "E" rating on a game doesn't account for the chaotic voice chat of a ten-year-old in Ohio. Use ratings as a filter, but rely on content descriptors and community data to make the final call.
Quick Links for the Weekend:
- Bluey (TV-Y) – The gold standard for "not brain rot."
- Minecraft (E10+) – Great for creativity, but watch the multiplayer servers.
- Inside Out 2 (PG) – A rare PG that actually hits deep for both kids and parents.
- Roblox (E10+) – The ultimate "it depends on the room" experience.
We’ve all been there: you finally sit down on a Friday night, the popcorn is buttery, and you click on a movie that says "PG." Ten minutes later, a character drops a joke that has you scrambling for the remote while your eight-year-old asks, "What does that mean?"
Content ratings—those little black-and-white boxes in the corner of the screen—are supposed to be our shield. But between the ESRB (games), the MPAA (movies), and the TV Parental Guidelines, it feels like you need a PhD in bureaucracy just to know if a show is going to give your kid nightmares or teach them a new set of "colorful" adjectives.
The reality is that these ratings are often inconsistent, sometimes influenced by industry lobbyists, and almost always lagging behind the actual culture your kids are living in. Here is how to decode the jargon and actually use these labels to protect your peace of mind.
The Motion Picture Association (MPAA) is the oldest player in the game. They’ve been around forever, and their ratings are the ones we’re most familiar with—but they are also the most subjective.
"G" is basically extinct for anything other than movies for toddlers. Most modern animated movies, like Despicable Me 4, are rated PG.
The "PG" (Parental Guidance Suggested) rating is the trickiest because it’s a catch-all. It can range from the wholesome vibes of The Wild Robot to movies with intense action or "mild" language that might still feel a bit much for a sensitive kindergartner.
This is where things get spicy. PG-13 was literally invented because movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were too violent for PG but not "adult" enough for an R. Today, PG-13 is the standard for every Marvel movie and Stranger Things.
The No-BS Take: PG-13 ratings are often more about "marketability" than safety. Studios fight for a PG-13 rating so they can get more teenagers in seats. This means you might see a movie like Deadpool & Wolverine (which is R, thank god) and realize that some PG-13 movies are pushing the absolute limit of what is appropriate for a middle schooler.
Ask our chatbot for a breakdown of PG-13 violence vs. language
If you have a gamer in the house, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is your best friend. Unlike movie ratings, ESRB ratings are actually quite detailed, but they have one massive loophole: Online Interactions.
"E" is for Everyone. Think Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. "E10+" is for Everyone 10 and up. This is where Minecraft and Roblox live.
Here’s the catch: Roblox is rated E10+ for "Fantasy Violence," but the game is a platform for millions of user-generated worlds. Your kid could be playing a "work at a pizza place" simulator one minute and accidentally stumble into a "Skibidi Toilet" horror game with jump scares the next. The ESRB cannot rate what other people say in the chat or what users build after the game is released.
Fortnite is rated T for Teen. Most parents of 8-year-olds ignore this, which is why your kid’s lobby is filled with third-graders. "M" rated games like Grand Theft Auto V or Call of Duty are strictly for adults—no matter how much your kid swears "everyone at school plays it." (Spoiler: Screenwise data shows that while many kids try it, the majority of intentional parents still hold the line on M-rated titles).
TV ratings are the ones we see most often on Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube Kids.
- TV-Y: Aimed at the youngest kids. Bluey is the queen here. It’s safe, it’s sweet, and it doesn't rot their brains.
- TV-Y7: This is for kids who can distinguish between make-believe and reality. This often includes "fantasy violence." Lego Ninjago falls here.
- TV-PG: Similar to the movie PG, but often found on reality shows or sitcoms.
- TV-14: The "Teen" rating. Think Wednesday. Expect some gore, some swearing, and some "mature" themes.
- TV-MA: Mature audiences only. Do not let the "it looks like a cartoon" vibe fool you. Shows like Hazbin Hotel look like colorful animation but are packed with profanity and adult themes.
The letter/age rating is just the cover of the book. The real info is in the descriptors—those tiny words next to the rating.
- "Mild Cartoon Violence": Usually means characters getting flattened by a piano and popping back up.
- "Crude Humor": Think fart jokes or "Ohio" memes.
- "Suggestive Themes": This is code for "there’s some sexual tension or jokes that will go over a 6-year-old's head but might make you uncomfortable."
- "In-Game Purchases": This is the ESRB's way of saying "this game will try to drain your bank account via Robux or V-Bucks."
At Screenwise, we don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" age. A mature 10-year-old might handle The Hunger Games book just fine, while a sensitive 12-year-old might find the movie too intense.
For Ages 5-8:
Stick to TV-Y and TV-Y7. Avoid "unrated" YouTube content which often features "brain rot" (low-quality, high-stimulation videos designed to keep kids clicking). Focus on high-quality storytelling like Puffin Rock or Storyline Online.
For Ages 9-12:
This is the "transition" zone. They want to play Fortnite and watch PG-13 movies. This is a great time to start using Screenwise community data to see what other parents in your district are allowing. If 80% of your kid's friends are playing Minecraft, the social pressure is real—but you can still set boundaries on how they play (e.g., no headsets, or only playing on "Creative" mode).
For Ages 13+:
By now, they are likely navigating TV-14 and Teen-rated games. The focus shifts from "protecting" to "preparing." Talk to them about why something is rated the way it is. If they’re watching MrBeast, discuss the consumerism and the "stunt" nature of the content.
Ratings are a lagging indicator. They don't account for:
- Sensitivity: Does your kid hate loud noises? A PG movie might still be too much.
- Values: A movie might be "clean" (G-rated) but promote values you don't like (e.g., "the popular girl is the only one who matters").
- The "Brain Rot" Factor: Some TV-Y shows are technically "safe" but are so fast-paced and nonsensical that they leave your kid a shell of themselves after 20 minutes. We'd rather a kid watch a thoughtful PG movie like My Neighbor Totoro than 3 hours of mindless unboxing videos.
Ratings are a floor, not a ceiling. They are the "you must be this tall to ride" sign at the roller coaster, but they don't tell you if your kid is actually going to enjoy the loops.
Next Steps:
- Check the descriptors, not just the letters. Look for "In-game purchases" or "Mild language."
- Use the "10-minute rule." Watch the first 10 minutes of a new show or game with your kid. You’ll know the "vibe" pretty quickly.
- Trust your gut. If a "highly rated" show feels like it’s turning your kid’s brain to mush, it probably is. Switch to something better like Brains On! or a round of Codenames.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized recommendation based on your kid's favorite show