ESRB ratings are age and content guidance labels for video games in the United States and Canada, and schools should use them as a starting point when choosing games for a program, not as the final word. A rating tells you what a game contains. It doesn't tell you how a specific group of students will experience it.
Key takeaways
- ESRB ratings combine an age category with content descriptors.
- Check the rating, the descriptors and any notice about online interactions before approving a game.
- Ratings don't cover everything, so staff should preview titles themselves.
- Share your game list and the reasoning with parents.
What do ESRB ratings actually tell you?
An ESRB rating has two parts: a rating category that suggests an age range, and content descriptors that name what's in the game, such as violence, language or gambling references. The label on the box and the store page is meant to help parents and buyers decide quickly.
The usual categories run from Everyone through Everyone 10+, Teen and Mature 17+ to Adults Only 18+. Check the ESRB's own site for the current definitions, since the board updates its guidance from time to time.
What is the difference between rating categories and content descriptors?
The category is the headline and the descriptors are the fine print. Two games can share a Teen rating for different reasons, and a school may be comfortable with one but not the other.
- Category: suggests the intended age group.
- Content descriptors: list the specific content that drove the rating.
- Interactive elements: notes such as in-game purchases or user-to-user interaction.
That last item matters for schools. A game rated for Everyone can still include online chat with strangers, and the rating alone won't reflect how students will actually use it.
How should schools use ratings when picking games?
Build an approved list and apply the same process to every title. Start with the rating, then read the descriptors, then play the game yourself.
- Decide the age range of your program and set a maximum rating accordingly.
- Read the descriptors and any interactive-element notes.
- Play enough of the game to see what students will see.
- Check chat, voice and purchase settings and decide how to configure them.
- Record the decision and the reason, and share the list with families.
Competitive titles are often rated Teen or higher. If your program includes middle school students, you'll need to be deliberate. Plenty of racing, sports, puzzle and flight titles carry lower ratings and make good starting points.
What do parents want schools to explain?
Most parents want to know three things: what the game is, who the kids will be talking to and who's watching. Answer those directly and most concerns settle.
Publish the approved list with ratings and a sentence on why each was chosen. Explain your supervision and chat policies. A parent who sees a clear process is more likely to say yes than one who finds out their kid is playing something unfamiliar.
Do ratings cover online behavior?
Only partly. ESRB ratings describe the game as it ships, and they note that online interactions aren't rated. Behavior from other players is outside the rating, which is why school policy matters as much as the label.
Use account settings to restrict chat and friend requests, and supervise sessions. For more on online play, see our explainer on the blog about latency and fair play.
Finally, revisit your list each term. Games get updates, add online features and sometimes change ratings, so an approval from last year may not still fit. A quick review at the start of each semester keeps your list honest, and it gives you an easy moment to remind families how the program works. For wider context on how organized play works, see our global esports overview.
Keep notes on any incidents involving a specific title, too. If a game repeatedly produces problems with chat or behavior, that's a good reason to drop it, whatever its rating says.
Frequently asked questions
Are ESRB ratings legally binding?
No. The ESRB is a self-regulatory body, and its ratings are guidance. Many retailers enforce them voluntarily at the point of sale, but a school's own policies decide what's allowed in its program. Check local and district rules for anything additional.
Can a school use a Teen-rated game?
Many schools do, depending on student ages and the content descriptors. Read what drove the rating, play the game yourself and consider chat settings. Some programs allow Teen titles only for high school students and keep younger students on Everyone-rated games.
Do ESRB ratings apply outside North America?
The ESRB covers the United States and Canada. Other regions use different systems, such as PEGI in Europe. If you run a program with an international component, check which system applies and don't assume the categories match one for one.
Where do I find a game's rating?
Look on the packaging, the digital store page or the ESRB's website, which lets you search by title. The page lists the category, descriptors and interactive notices. Screenshot or record the rating when you approve a game, since updates can change it later.
If your school is planning an esports program, the Esport Pod is designed for supervised, in-person play where these choices are easy to enforce.
