A mobile software content rating system is a rating system which is tailored to users of
mobile software
A mobile application or app is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or watch. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to desktop applications which are designed to run on d ...
.
Comparison table
A comparison of current mobile software rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country/system to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.
Key:
*
White – ''No restrictions: Suitable for all ages / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated / No applicable rating.''
*
Yellow – ''No restrictions: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.''
*
Purple – ''No restrictions: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted.''
*
Red – ''Restricted: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences. (Not used)''
*
Black – ''Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Purchase age-restricted / Banned.''
Existing systems
iOS and iPadOS App Store
Apple's rating system for the App Store follows the following rubric:
* Rated 4+: Contains no objectionable material.
* Rated 9+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 9.
* Rated 12+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 12.
* Rated 17+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 17.
Apps rated 17+ are prohibited from purchase by younger users.
Google Play
Up until March 17, 2015
Google Play
Google Play, also known as the Google Play Store and formerly the Android Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android (operating sys ...
used the following rubric:
* Everyone
* Low maturity
* Medium maturity
* High maturity
Google now uses the
International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) in most countries not represented by a rating authority, whilst countries or regions with a superimposed video game rating authority continues applying their own ratings where applicable.
This includes Americas (except Brazil), where
ESRB is imposed, Brazil with
ClassInd
The Brazilian Advisory Rating ( pt, Classificação Indicativa, abbreviated ClassInd) is a content rating system for the classification of movies, games and television programs. The ClassInd rating system is controlled by the Advisory Rating Coor ...
, Europe and Israel with
PEGI, Australia with
ACB and South Korea with
GRAC. However, a new Google Play Rating system is used exclusively in Russia and for non-gaming apps in South Korea.
[Apps & Games content ratings on Google Play](_blank)
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These ratings include:
* 3+
* 7+
* 12+
* 16+
* 18+
In Australia, IARC applies its own ratings for non-gaming apps.
Samsung Galaxy Store
Huawei AppGallery
Huawei AppGallery developed own rating system.
Ratings are: 3+, 7+, 12+, 15+ and 18+
Amazon Appstore
On the Amazon Appstore
Amazon Appstore is an app store for Android-compatible platforms operated by Amazon.com Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.
The store is primarily used as the storefront for Amazon's Android-based Fire OS. including Amazon Fire tablets, ...
, "All Ages" is for all ages. "Guidance Suggested" is for recommendation that parents should give guidance to pre-teens/children. "Mature" is recommended to be suitable for mature audiences. "Adult" is advertisements, graphic violence, nudity or other content only suitable for adult audiences.
Blackberry World
The Blackberry appstore as the following ratings:
* G (General) All ages
* T (Teen) May not be suitable for children under the age of 13
* M (Mature) May not be suitable for children under the age of 17
* A (Adult) Content that is generally recognized as appropriate only for, or that is legally restricted to, persons at least the age of majority in their region.
CTIA Mobile Application Rating System
The CTIA The Wireless Association
CTIA is a trade association representing the wireless communications industry in the United States. The association was established in 1984 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a 501(c) organization#501.28c.29.286.29, 501(c)(6) nonpro ...
, an industry trade group, collaborated with the ESRB to largely apply ESRB's rating system to mobile devices. It was launched in 2011, with Apple and Google being notable abstentions from subscribing companies.
Common Sense Media
* 2+
* 3+
* 4+
* 5+
* 6+
* 7+
* 8+
* 9+
* 10+
* 11+
* 12+
* 13+
* 14+
* 15+
* 16+
* 17+
* 18+
See also
* Internet Content Rating Association
Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) was an international non-profit organization with offices in the United States and the United Kingdom. In October 2010, the ICRA rating system, and the organization, was discontinued.
Its mission was to h ...
* Video game content rating system
A video game content rating system is a system used for the classification of video games based on suitability for target audiences. Most of these systems are associated with and/or sponsored by a government, and are sometimes part of the local ...
* Motion picture content rating system
A motion picture content rating system Content rating, classifies films based on their suitability for audiences due to their treatment of issues such as sex, violence, or substance abuse; their use of profanity; or other matters typically deemed u ...
* Television content rating system
Television content rating systems are systems for Content rating, evaluating the content and reporting the suitability of television programs for Minor (law), minors. Many countries have their own television evaluation, rating system and countrie ...
References
External links
* {{snd on controlling what types of apps can be downloaded
ESRB ratings
Mobile software
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