Age ratings are systems used to ensure that entertainment content, such as films, videos, DVDs, and
computer games, are clearly labelled by age according to the content they contain.
labelled by age according to the content they contain. Age ratings provide guidance to consumers
(particularly parents) to help them decide whether or not to buy a particular product.
What do the labels mean?
The PEGI labels appear on front and back of the packaging indicating one of the following age levels:
3, 7, 12, 16 and 18.
They provide a reliable indication of the suitability of the game content in terms of protection of
minors
What makes an age rating
3: Suitable for all ages. May contain very mild violence in an appropriate context for younger
children, but neither bad language nor frightening content is allowed.
7: Suitable for ages 7 and older. May contain mild or unrealistic violence (e.g. violence in a cartoon
context), or elements that can be frightening to younger children.
12: Suitable for ages 12 and older. May contain violence in either a fantasy context or a sporting
action, profanity, mild sexual references or innuendo, or gambling.
16: Suitable for ages 16 and older. May contain explicit or realistic-looking violence, strong language,
sexual references or content, gambling, or encouragement of drug use
18: Unsuitable for persons under 18. May contain extreme or graphic violence, including "violence
towards defenceless people" and "multiple, motiveless killing", strong language, strong sexual
content, gambling, drug glamorisation, or discrimination ("stereotyping likely to cause hatred").