Tools For Parents

ESRB ratings make it easy for parents to be informed about the video games their kids play, but there’s more parents can do to stay involved and up to date. Learn how to set parental controls, start a conversation using our discussion guide, download the ESRB mobile app, and more.

Parental controls help you manage your children’s video game use when you aren’t around, ESRB.

Parental Controls

Parental controls are available for every device and allow you to block games and apps by rating, set time limits, manage in-game purchases, restrict access to the internet, and more.

father and son playing video games on the couch

Family Gaming Guide

This user-friendly guide will help provide you with the information you need to manage your kids’ gameplay experiences and keep peace of mind.

App Preview

ESRB App

Use our free app to look up rating information and read rating summaries on the go.

Las clasificaciones de ESRB facilitan que los padres estén informados sobre los videojuegos

¡Vamos a Jugar!

Las clasificaciones de ESRB facilitan que los padres estén informados sobre los videojuegos que juegan sus hijos, pero hay más cosas que los padres pueden hacer para mantenerse involucrados y actualizados.

Quick Tips

Here’s what you need to know in order to make informed choices about the games your children play.

Check the Rating

Always check the front and back of a video game box for the ESRB-assigned rating information. You can also search here, or download our free rating search app to see a game’s rating summary. Ratings for digital games and apps are displayed on digital storefronts before you buy or install. If you need more information you can also find reviews and gameplay videos online.

Have a Conversation

It’s always a good idea to have a family conversation to set some house rules about which games are appropriate, time restrictions, and how much money can be spent on in-game/app purchases. Click here for a few conversation starters.

Set Controls

Set parental controls to make sure everyone sticks to the house rules. Click here for more information.

Check for Warning Signs

Watch for inappropriate behavior if your kids play games online. You can notify a game’s publisher or online service about offenders. Also keep an eye out for warning signs of cyberbullying, like anxiety, depression, or a reluctance to go to school or hang out with friends.

Teach The Golden Rule

Be sure your kids are respectful when playing games online and on social media. Teach them to treat others as they would want to be treated.

Have Fun!

Make the time to play games with your children! It will help you better understand why they enjoy playing them so much. But most of all, it’s a great way to have fun and spend time as a family.

Did You Know?

65% of the ESRB ratings assigned to physical and console downloadable video games in 2024 were either E (Everyone) or E10+ (Everyone 10+).

Did You Know?

83% of parents with kids who play video games are aware of ESRB ratings and 77% regularly check them before buying a game. (Source: Hart Research Associates, 2025)

Did You Know?

Most 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, 2025)

Did You Know?

Industry guidelines, which are enforced by the ESRB, prohibit the inappropriate target marketing of Mature-rated games.

Did You Know?

ESRB 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.

Did You Know?

According 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.

Did You Know?

The 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.”

Did You Know?

The E (Everyone) rating was originally called K-A (Kids to Adults) but was changed in 1998.

Did You Know?

The ESRB rating system has three parts – Rating Categories, Content Descriptors and Interactive Elements, the latter of which were introduced in 2013.

Did You Know?

Introduced 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.

Did You Know?

ESRB uses more than 30 different Content Descriptors to help communicate what’s in a game.

Did You Know?

The 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.

Did You Know?

Founded 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.

Did You Know?

In 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).

Did You Know?

More 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).

Did You Know?

It’s never too late to have “the conversation” with your kids about what, when, and how they can play!

Did You Know?

Activating 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.

Did You Know?

The average gamer is 36 years old.

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