The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the group that looks at video games and decides if they’re "Everyone" or "Mature." Think of them like the MPAA for movies, but honestly, they’re a bit more thorough because games are interactive. They don't just watch a trailer; they look at the scripts, the "kill" animations, and the gambling mechanics.

The rating is usually found in the bottom corner of the game’s thumbnail in an app store or on the physical box. But here is the thing: a lot of parents stop at the big letter. If you see a "T," you think "Teen," and if your kid is 13, you hit buy. But that "T" for Fortnite means something very different than the "T" for a story-driven RPG with heavy themes.

See a comparison of T-rated games

The rating letter is just the vibe. The Content Descriptors and Interactive Elements are the facts.

In 2026, the biggest risk to your kid isn't seeing a pixelated drop of blood; it’s the 24-year-old in the headset calling them names or the "limited time offer" on a digital skin that costs $20 of real money. The ESRB started adding "Interactive Elements" because the game itself might be rated E, but the community playing it is definitely not.

Learn more about how Robux is in fact real money

When you look at a rating, look right below the letter. You’ll see a list of phrases. Here is what they actually mean in parent-speak:

This is the most important label. It means the game has a chat feature (voice or text). The ESRB explicitly states: "Online Ratings Not Rated by the ESRB." This is their way of saying, "We rated the game, but we can't control what xX_SniperLord_Xx says to your 9-year-old in the lobby."

This is the official term for Loot Boxes. If you see this, the game is designed to get your kid to spend money on "surprise" items. It’s essentially "baby’s first slot machine." If your kid has an addictive personality or doesn't understand the value of a dollar, this label is a massive red flag.

"Mild Blood" usually means a red puff when someone gets hit. "Blood and Gore" means dismemberment, realistic wounds, and stuff that belongs in a horror movie. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has fantasy violence, but it’s not "gory." Call of Duty is very much "gory."

We’ve all been there. Your 12-year-old says, "Everyone at school plays Grand Theft Auto V," or "It’s just a shooting game, Mom."

Real talk: Grand Theft Auto V isn't just a driving game. It features a playable scene where you have to torture someone to progress the story. It features strip clubs. It features heavy drug use. It is "Mature" for a reason.

However, some parents feel that the "M" for Call of Duty is negotiable if the kid only plays the multiplayer mode with the sound off and the chat muted. That’s a family decision. But don't let the "everyone else is doing it" argument fool you—only about 15-20% of parents actually let their under-13 kids play M-rated games, despite what your kid tells you.

Check out our guide on alternatives to Call of Duty

Stick to E ratings. At this age, kids are still developing the ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality. Even "mild" cartoon violence can be overstimulating.

The E10+ era. This is when they want to play what the "big kids" play. Minecraft is the gold standard here.

The T for Teen transition. Fortnite is the cultural baseline.

Roblox is the hardest game to rate because it’s not one game—it’s a platform. It’s like trying to give a single rating to "The Internet."

The ESRB gives it an E10+, but they recently added a "Parental Controls" system within the game itself that allows you to restrict content based on age (All Ages, 9+, 13+, 17+).

If your kid is on Roblox, the ESRB rating on the App Store is basically useless. You need to go into the game settings and set the "Allowed Content" to match your kid's age. Otherwise, they can wander into "Condo Games" (user-made adult spaces) that are definitely not E10+.

Read our full guide on hidden dangers in Roblox

Instead of being the "Rating Police," try being the "Content Consultant."

When they want a new game, ask them:

If you’re going to say no to an M-rated game, explain why. "I’m not saying no because I want to be mean; I’m saying no because this game features [Graphic Violence] and I don't think that's great for your brain right now. Let's find a T-rated alternative that’s still fun."

Find T-rated alternatives to GTA

The ESRB rating is the start of the conversation, not the end.

Gaming is an incredible way for kids to build problem-solving skills and even learn a bit about entrepreneurship, but only if we’re the ones holding the map.