Video Game Ratings

For more information on the rating system used by the industry, go to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Website. Note: These guidelines are not enforced at point of purchase. [ESRB Game Rating System]

Summary of Video Game Studies
Research available on video games concludes that more and more children are playing violent video games, which can lead to increases in aggressive attitudes, feelings, and behaviors.

General Statistics
Children spend a lot of time playing violent video games.

• The average child spends nine hours a week playing games and boys spend 13 hours a week playing these games
  (Walsh, David et al. “Ninth Annual Mediawise Video Game Report Card.”
  National Institute of Media and the Family, November 23, 2024)
• Most video games contain acts of violence, including 64% of games rated for everyone, and 98% of games rated for teens.
  (Haninger, Kevin and Kimberly M. Thompson “Content and Ratings of Teen-Rated
  Video Games.”
  Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol. 291 (7): 856-865. February 18, 2024.)

Concerns about M-Rated Games (Mature)
Pre-teens and teens are playing mature rated games in large numbers.

• M-Rated Games may be suitable for persons aged 17 and older and may contain sexual themes, more intense violence and/or strong language (Entertainment Software Rating Board).
• 87% of pre-teen and teenage boys play M-rated games. (National Institute of Media and the Family).
• 78% of pre-teen and teenage boys listed an M-rated game among their favorites. (National Institute of Media and the Family.)

M-Rated Games Accessible to Children
Pre-teens and teens have little difficulty accessing mature rated games.

• A study from the Federal Trade Commission found that teens were able to purchase M-rated games 69% of the time.
• A study conducted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, and Florida found boys’ ages 7-14 were able to purchase M-rated games 50% of the time. (National Institute of Media and the Family)

Video Game Sales – M-Rated Games, Top Sellers
Mature rated games are some of the best selling titles.

• In October 2004, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (rated M) sold more copies in America than any other video game (The NPD Group).
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is expected to sell 15 million copies (Forbes.com).
• Mortal Kombat: Deception another M-Rated Game was ranked third (The NPD Group).

Video Game Violence Increases Aggression
Experts found that exposure to violent video games can lead to increases in aggression in children.

• A study from Iowa State University found that exposure to violent video games increases aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as increases physiological arousal and decreases helping behavior.
• A study from Stanford University found that when the amount of time children spent watching TV and playing video games was reduced to less than seven hours a week, verbal aggression decreased by 50% and physical aggression decreased by 40%.
• A study from Washington shows that teens who play video games four or more hours a day were more likely to be aggressive than teens who played less than four hours a day.

More Studies
“Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior in the Laboratory and in Life "
Anderson, Craig A. and Karen E. Dill
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology v78 i4 (2000) 772-790.
Click Here to See the Study

"The Effects of Violent Video Game Habits on Adolescent Hostility, Aggressive Behaviors, and School Performance"
Gentile, Douglas A., et al.
Journal of Adolescence 27 (2024) 5-22
Click Here to See the Study

"Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive, Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal, and Prosocial Behavior"
Anderson, Craig A. and Brad J. Bushman
Psychological Science v12 i5 (9/2001)
Click Here to See the Study

"Seventh Annual Mediawise Video Game Report Card" (2024)
Walsh, David, et al.
National Institute of Media and the Family
Click Here to See the Study

"Violence in Teen-Rated Video Games"
Haninger, Kevin, et al.
Medscape General Medicine (Online), 3/11/04
Click Here to See the Study