Age Ratings Are Only Half the Story

My copy of GTA VI arrived. Calling it a physical copy is generous: it's a box with a download code, and I need 212 GB to install it.

I probably won't get much time on the family TV, but maybe I can sneak in a few sessions on my PlayStation Portal. Given the content, that's probably for the best.

GTA VI is rated M for Mature. Violence, crime, strong language, and sexual content come with the territory. It's called Grand Theft Auto, after all.

As a parent, I can review the rating, watch gameplay, and decide if it's appropriate for my kids.

But here's something I think parents sometimes overlook: a lower age rating doesn't necessarily mean a game is safer across every dimension.

Consider Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox, which my kids and I play together.

Some of my favorite moments involve teaming up and doing ridiculous things together in a game. I grew up gaming, so I'm probably biased toward the benefits. Beyond the fun and friendships, games can encourage creativity, strategy, and persistence. They offer low-stakes chances to experiment, fail, and try again.

But multiplayer introduces a different kind of risk.

In GTA VI's single-player experience, Rockstar creates and controls the content. In multiplayer games, other people become part of the experience. On Roblox, players also create the experiences.

Most interactions are ordinary or positive. But harassment, bullying, and more concerning behaviors, like someone deliberately building trust with a child before soliciting personal information, can develop through those interactions.

The ESRB acknowledges this distinction. Its "Users Interact" notice flags online interaction but doesn't affect the age rating.

And the risks vary considerably depending on how you play.

When my son and I play Fortnite duos or squads with family, our direct interactions with strangers are limited. Sometimes we use "Fill" to find additional teammates, but we keep voice and text chat disabled.

In Roblox experiences like Brookhaven or Adopt Me, interacting with a larger community is much more central to the game.

I don't think there's a universal answer for what children should play.

I'm even tempted to let my son watch me play GTA VI. I could try the Ted Lasso approach to strong language: you can hear it, but you can't repeat it. Though I suspect my wife won't be amused by the suggestion.

My approach is to understand what my kids are experiencing, whether by playing together or simply watching. Parental controls and staying involved can meaningfully reduce risks, even if no approach can eliminate them entirely.

For me, there are two separate questions when evaluating a game for my kids:

Is the content appropriate for them?

And who can they interact with, under what circumstances, and with what protections?

An age rating helps answer the first. The second depends on the game, how it's played, and the people they encounter.