What's ok for children?

Choosing content to watch or play

The rating and consumer advice for a film or game can help you choose the right content for your child.

The ratings are: G, PG, M, MA 15+ and R 18+. Consumer advice usually relates to six types of content (classifiable elements): themes, violence, language, drug use, nudity and sex.

You can find out what each rating means at What are the ratings?.

This information will tell you the type of content that is in a film (or episode) or computer game. You can use this information to decide if your child should watch the film or play the game or if it has content that might upset them or be inappropriate.

Parental controls can also help you limit access to inappropriate content.

Check the rating and consumer advice

You can also find the rating and consumer advice for a film or computer game on the National Classification Database (NCD).

The NCD shows if any of the six classifiable elements (themes, violence, language, drug use, nudity and sex) are present and the level of impact. You can also find out more information on why a film or computer game has a certain rating in the 'Why this classification?' section.

The rating and consumer advice are shown on streaming services, online gaming storefronts, digital downloads, cinema, DVDs, blu ray and computer game packaging. Advertising for films and computer games can also include the rating information.

Use parental controls

You can monitor and limit the type of content your child can access online using parental controls. Most streaming services,  computer game consoles and digital devices provide age-based parental controls. Many allow you to block access to content based on the rating.

The e-Safety Commissioner has more information on parental controls and how to use them.

Teachers

What is suitable for students at school?

Films and computer games may be used in schools as educational resources. Whether a particular film or computer game is ok for your students will depend on their age and your school's policies.

You can use the rating and consumer advice to help decide what content is suitable.