Age Ratings & Parental Controls

PEGI

The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system was established in 2003 to help improve understanding in European countries about age appropriate content in video games.

Initially developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), the PEGI age rating system has been adopted by 35 European countries, including the UK and is supported by all major console manufacturers and publishers in Europe.

PEGI Age Labels

PEGI categorises games into 5 age classifications, each allowing different levels of age-appropriate content:

PEGI Age Label	Description
	The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.
	Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.
	Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual innuendo or sexual posturing can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild. Gambling as it is normally carried out in real life in casinos or gambling halls can also be present (e.g. card games that in real life would be played for money).
	This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while games of chance, and the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present
	The adult classification is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs and explicit sexual activity should also fall into this age category.

(insert descriptions of PEGI age ratings here)

PEGI Content Descriptors

To make the nature of content that may not be age-appropriate clearer to consumers, PEGI also use ‘content descriptors’. These appear as symbols on the boxes of games, describing content such as violence and bad language in games: (insert content descriptors and their descriptions) (also include details of the ‘in-game purchases’ content descriptor added in 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/aug/30/video-games-that-allow-in-game-purchases-will-carry-pegi-warning)

Parental Contol Tools

All games consoles, smartphones and PC and Mac operating systems have options for parental controls, enabling parents to protect their children’s safety and privacy when gaming both online and offline. These parental controls can be used to:

• Select which games children are allowed to play
• Control and monitor the use of digital purchases
• Limit internet browsing
• Control the level of online interaction

Details of parental control tools on specific consoles and platforms are listed below:

Xbox

Microsoft advises parents to create ‘family accounts’ on Xbox One and Xbox 360 consoles. An Xbox family account is free to create and allows parents to prevent unauthorised purchases, set content age limits and set screen time limits.

Nintendo

For the Nintendo Switch, a parental controls app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. This can be used to restrict the types of games children are able to play on the Switch console and set screen time limits.

PlayStation

Parental controls can be set up in the settings of the PlayStation 4. Settings can be adjusted to set monthly spending limits, restrict access to network features, disable use of the web browser and prevent children from playing non-age-appropriate games. The PlayStation website also has a guide on how to prevent children from changing parental controls.

Google Play

The Google Play store (for Android devices) allows parents to set parental controls on apps, games, music, films, tv and books. Unlike console games, mobile games are not given age ratings by PEGI and instead are rated by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). Limits can be placed on children’s Google Play accounts to restrict access to certain games based on IARC age ratings. Parents can also block and unblock their children from using individual apps.

iPhone and iPad

In the settings for iOS devices, content and privacy restrictions can be set up, purchases can be prevented, explicit content in apps and games can be restricted and limits on screen time can be set. A passcode can be created on iPhones and iPads to prevent children from disabling these parental controls.

(Also include advice from non UK bodies)

Further Guidence on Parental Controls

• Ask About Games
• Common Sense Media
• ESRB
• Internet Matters
• Kotaku
• Ofcom