“Mom, can I do more math?” Most parents would love it if their kids asked them that. Instead, they may get asked whether or not they can play Balatro. And parents could be forgiven if they had no idea, or even got the wrong idea, of what that Balatro is. The truth is that asking […]
65% of the ESRB ratings assigned to physical and console downloadable video games in 2024 were either E (Everyone) or E10+ (Everyone 10+).
Learn More on our Blog84% of parents with kids who play video games are aware of ESRB ratings and 78% regularly check them before buying a game. (Source: Hart Research Associates, 2024)
Learn More on our BlogMost parents consider each part (Rating Category, Content Descriptors, Interactive Elements) of the ESRB rating system to be either “very” or “extremely” important when deciding if a game or app is appropriate for their kids. (Source: Hart Research Associates, 2024)
Learn More on Ratings GuideIndustry guidelines, which are enforced by the ESRB, prohibit the inappropriate target marketing of Mature-rated games.
Learn More about Principles and GuidelinesESRB has an enforcement system which allows for the imposition of sanctions, fines (including fines up to $1 million), and corrective actions on publishers for non-compliance with its guidelines.
Learn More about Rating ProcessAccording to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission 87% of kids under the age of 17 are turned away when trying to buy an M-rated game at retail.
Learn More on our BlogThe late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia wrote: “This [ESRB rating] system does much to ensure that minors cannot purchase seriously violent games on their own, and that parents who care about the matter can readily evaluate the games their children bring home.”
Learn More at supremecourt.govThe E (Everyone) rating was originally called K-A (Kids to Adults) but was changed in 1998.
Learn More in History of ESRBThe ESRB rating system has three parts – Rating Categories, Content Descriptors and Interactive Elements, the latter of which were introduced in 2013.
Learn More on Ratings GuideIntroduced in 2008, Rating Summaries provide greater detail about the content in physical games rated by the ESRB, and are exclusively available on this website or the ESRB mobile app by conducting a title search.
Learn More on Ratings GuideESRB uses more than 30 different Content Descriptors to help communicate what’s in a game.
Learn More on Ratings GuideThe FTC considers the ESRB to have “the strongest self-regulatory code” among media rating systems in the U.S. and has confirmed that retailers maintain a high store policy compliance rate.
Learn More on our BlogFounded in 2013 by many of the world’s leading video game rating authorities, the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) administers the first globally streamlined age classification process for digital games and mobile apps that respects the unique cultural norms of each region.
Learn More at globalratings.comIn 1999 ESRB Privacy Online (now called ESRB Privacy Certified) launched its certification program and was sanctioned by the FTC as a “Safe Harbor” under Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Learn More on privacyMore than 67% of parents would be more comfortable allowing their children to download and play a game certified by ESRB Privacy Certified (Source: Hart Research Associates, 2024).
Learn More on privacyIt’s never too late to have “the conversation” with your kids about what, when, and how they can play!
Learn More on Family gaming guideActivating parental controls on your children’s video game devices helps you enforce house rules, such as limiting play time, blocking games with certain ESRB ratings, and managing in-game spending.
Learn More on Parental controls