Before letting your child play any game, it’s important to check the age rating. This helps you know if the game is appropriate for their age.
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Look for labels like PEGI (in Europe) or ESRB (in the US) on the game’s cover or app store page.
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These ratings tell you about violence, bad language, or other mature content.
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Always read the description—not just the age number—to understand why the game has that rating.
Be Careful with “Educational” Apps
Some apps claim to help kids read faster or become smarter. But:
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Results aren’t always instant.
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Many of these apps may not be as educational as they promise.
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It’s best to try the app yourself first or read trusted reviews.
4 ways to check age rating:
1.Check PEGI rating
Most apps will have PEGI rating next to it. For instance, in the picture below it says PEGI rating 12. This means that this game is suitable for children older than 12 years old.
2. Read reviews
Relying on PEGI rating alone may not be enough. Check the reviews on the game before downloading the app. Click on reviews and you will be shown how many star rating is the game. Do not use this as an indicator. In fact check the 1 or 2 star rating and see what others have said about the game. This will tell you the worst part of the game according to other users.
You will need to make an informed decision whether the bad ratings is ok to bypass or is it something that can effect the way your child think or behave . For instance, some low ratings might be due to slow functioning app while others might be due to advertisements or violence.
3. Check Common Sense Media App review
Common sense media have a dedicated section that gives you a breakdown about different apps. You can check the educational value of the app; what parents think about the app; if there are any advertisements in the app; how easy it is to play the game; The age group of the app and if there is any alcohol , drugs or violence present in the app.
