TL;DR: Ratings like ESRB (North America) and PEGI (Europe) are helpful baselines, but they don't tell the whole story. An E for Everyone rating doesn't mean a game is "easy" or safe from toxic chat, and a T for Teen rating can range from "fantasy violence" to "heavy suggestive themes." The most important thing to look for isn't the letter on the box—it's the Content Descriptors and Interactive Elements (like loot boxes and unrated online chat).
Quick Links for Context:
- Minecraft (Rating: E10+) - The gold standard, but the "online" part is a different beast.
- Roblox (Rating: E10+) - Rated for content, but the user-generated nature makes it the "Wild West."
- Fortnite (Rating: T) - Most parents ignore the T rating; here’s why that might be okay (or not).
- Stardew Valley (Rating: E10+) - Proof that "Everyone" doesn't mean "boring."
- Hades (Rating: T) - A masterpiece, but definitely for the more mature end of the "Teen" spectrum.
If you’ve ever looked at the bottom corner of a game case or the "Information" tab in an app store, you’ve seen them.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) is the North American standard. It uses letters (E, T, M). The PEGI (Pan European Game Information) is the European/UK standard, which uses numbers (3, 7, 12, 16, 18).
Both systems are designed to give us a heads-up about what’s inside the box. But here’s the No-BS reality: These ratings are assigned based on the "static" content of the game. They are great at catching "f-bombs" in a script or blood splatters on a wall. They are notoriously bad at predicting how a 12-year-old in a Call of Duty lobby is going to talk to your kid.
Ask our chatbot for a comparison of ESRB vs PEGI for a specific game
E for Everyone (PEGI 3 / 7)
Don't be fooled. "Everyone" can include games that are incredibly difficult or frustrating for younger kids. It also includes games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is wholesome fun, but also games with "mild cartoon violence."
- The Trap: Thinking "E" means "Educational." It doesn't. It just means there's nothing "objectionable" by industry standards.
E10+ for Everyone 10+ (PEGI 7 / 12)
This is the "tween" sweet spot. You’ll see this on Minecraft and Roblox. It usually means more "fantasy violence" (think: swords and pixelated explosions) and perhaps some "crude humor."
- The Reality: This is often where the "Online Interactions Not Rated" disclaimer starts to matter most.
T for Teen (PEGI 12 / 16)
This is the widest, most confusing category. A game like The Sims 4 is rated T for "Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, and Violence." Meanwhile, Fortnite is rated T primarily for "Violence." These are two very different experiences.
- The Reality: T ratings often include "Suggestive Themes" (think: characters in skimpy outfits or "WooHoo" in The Sims). If you’re strict about sexual content but fine with cartoon guns, you’ll need to read the fine print.
M for Mature (PEGI 18)
This is 17+. We’re talking Grand Theft Auto V or Cyberpunk 2077. Intense violence, blood and gore, strong language, and "strong sexual content."
- The No-BS Take: There is almost no reason for a middle schooler to be playing an M-rated game. Some parents treat M like "PG-13" for movies, but gaming is an active experience. Doing the "bad stuff" in a game hits differently than watching it on a screen.
The letter is the headline, but the Content Descriptors are the actual article. These are the phrases listed right next to the rating.
- "In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)": This is the industry's polite way of saying Loot Boxes. If you see this, the game is designed to nudge your kid into gambling real money for a "chance" to get a rare skin or item. It is a massive red flag for families on a budget or kids with low impulse control.
- "Suggestive Themes": This is the catch-all for "sexy but not quite sexual." It might mean a character's outfit is basically dental floss, or there are jokes that will go over a 7-year-old's head but make a 10-year-old ask uncomfortable questions.
- "Crude Humor": This is where you find the "Skibidi Toilet" energy—potty humor, bathroom jokes, and generally "gross" stuff.
- "Blood and Gore" vs. "Animated Blood": Animated blood is usually "splashes" that disappear. "Gore" means internal organs are making an appearance.
Learn more about what "Suggestive Themes" actually looks like in modern games
The biggest mistake we make as parents is seeing an E10+ on Roblox and thinking, "Cool, it's basically LEGOs."
The ESRB has a disclaimer: "Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB."
This is the "Get Out of Jail Free" card for developers. It means they aren't responsible if a 19-year-old in the chat starts explaining "Ohio" memes in a way that involves adult language, or if someone creates a "user-generated" level in a game that is way more mature than the base game's rating.
When your kid is playing Among Us, the game itself is rated E10+. It's cute beans killing each other. But the chat is where the real "rating" happens. If you haven't locked down the chat settings, that E10+ rating is functionally useless.
How do you actually use this info without becoming the "No Fun Parent"?
- Ages 5-8: Stick to E ratings, but check for In-Game Purchases. This is the age where "accidental" $99 App Store charges happen. Look for games like Toca Life World or PBS Kids Games.
- Ages 9-12: This is the E10+ era. This is also when they’ll start begging for T rated games like Fortnite. Before saying yes, look at the descriptors. Is it "Violence" or "Blood and Gore"?
- Ages 13-15: They are likely playing T games. The conversation here shifts to M rated content. They will see Grand Theft Auto V on YouTube or Twitch and want in.
Check out our guide on how to set up console parental controls
Instead of being the "Rating Police," try being a "Content Consultant."
When your kid says, "Everyone is playing this game, why can't I?" don't just point at the "T" on the box. Say: "I saw this game has 'In-Game Purchases with Random Items.' That's basically gambling, and I'm not okay with the game trying to trick you into spending money. Let's look for a game that doesn't do that."
Or: "I see this is rated T for 'Language.' Let's watch a gameplay video together on YouTube and see if it's the kind of language we use in this house."
Pro-Tip: Use Common Sense Media or our own Screenwise Media Search to see what other parents are saying. Sometimes a game is rated T for one 30-second scene, and the rest is totally fine. Other times, an E10+ game is a toxic wasteland.
Ratings are a starting point, not a finish line.
- Check the Letter: Get the baseline.
- Read the Descriptors: Look for "In-Game Purchases" and "Sexual Themes."
- Respect the "Online" Disclaimer: Assume any game with a chat function is "M for Mature" until you've personally gone into the settings and toggled the safety switches.
- Play with them: Spend 15 minutes watching them play. You’ll learn more in those 15 minutes than any rating label will ever tell you.
Ask our chatbot for a "vibe check" on any game your kid is asking for
If you're feeling overwhelmed, start by picking one game your kid plays the most. Look up its ESRB or PEGI rating, and then look at the Interactive Elements. If you see "Users Interact," it's time to have a conversation about "Stranger Danger 2.0."
Read our guide on how to talk to kids about online strangers