Age Appropriateness Grid

This grid is designed to quickly show you what child development experts feel is developmentally appropriate for different age groups. Because every child and every family is different, it is only a rough guide, but we do use it to guide our ratings.

Ages 2 - 4

Sexuality Nothing sexual is age appropriate.

Language

No profanity is appropriate.
Violence Even though kids often see cartoon violence at this age, anything that shows physical contact as a means of conflict resolution is not age appropriate.

Content

Nothing emotionally intense. Separations of parents and kids (human or animal) or kids and parents in peril can be scary and upsetting.
Scariness Nothing scarier than "boo" for this age unless you want nightmares.
Commercialism No product tie-ins or placements. Limit or avoid ad exposure as kids can't distinguish between ad messages and reality.
Alcohol/Drug Use
 None is appropriate.
Social Behavior
 Good role models, diversity of gender and race, no stereotypes

 

Ages 5 - 7

Sexuality

 Concept of boy/girl relationship okay but no more.
Language No profanity is appropriate.
Violence Cartoon rough and tumble, cartoon battles, slapstick, fantasy violence are okay but there should be no depictions of violence that would reasonable result in death or serious injury, even in cartoon characters.
Content Nothing emotional that blurs fantasy and reality (for this age group fantasy and reality are blurred). No serious loss, suspense or psychological issues; No bullying or coercion.
Scariness Spooky situations like houses and friendly ghosts are fine but peril involving parents, siblings etc. is not.
Commercialism No product tie-ins or placements. Limit or avoid ad exposure as kids can't distinguish between ad messages and reality.
Alcohol/Drug Use
 None is appropriate.
Social Behavior
 Good role models of tolerance, diversity of gender, race, religion, etc. no stereotypes.

 

Ages 8 - 10

Sexuality Body part jokes are age appropriate but not sexual humor.

Language

Mild profanity such as Hell, damn, butt, pee.
Violence Action hero sword fighting or gun play with minimal or no blood; violence should be portrayed as hurtful and causing suffering, not as cathartic or triumphant.

Content

Kids can deal with the beginning of emotional conflict : loss of pet, parents, divorce. Scenes of anger, bullying, loyalty, moral issues - all require resolution.
Scariness Light suspense with happy endings area okay as is physical jeopardy ghoulish faces, phantoms.
Commercialism Note all product tie ins and placements and point out how they are subtly embedded in media.
Alcohol/Drug Use
 None is appropriate. Note that PG-13 movies have lots of smoking. Point it out.
Social Behavior
 Anti-social/racial behavior must have negative consequences.

 

Ages 11 -12

Sexuality

 No nudity but simple kissing and boy/girl social dynamics okay. No simulated sex.
Language Mild profanity but with body part references like ass and boobs.
Violence Historical action - battles, fantasy battles or duels. No close-up or graphic violence; violence portrayed as hurtful and causing suffering, not as cathartic or triumphant.
Content Kids can handle more psychologically complex issues of loss, rejection, and disappointment. They distinguish betweenight and wrong, dramatic situations.
Scariness Dramatic suspense but not about immediate family or security, light horror is okay as long as the resolution is clear and positive.
Commercialism Note all product tie ins and placements and point out how they are subtly embedded in media.
Alcohol/Drug Use
 No use by underage children or teens. Make sure any use has consequences, no substance use played for humor.
Social Behavior
 Peer influence is huge at these ages. Point out anti-social or racial behaviors and discuss consequences.

 

Ages 13 -17

Sexuality

 Light sexual humor (mostly body part) okay. No nudity. Making out is okay but no simulated sex.
Language Moderate profanity: Jesus as an exclamation, piss, ass, shit.
Violence Shoot 'em ups, blow 'em ups, high tech, accident with disfigurement or death, gang fighting, anger with family and friend. But point out that violence portrayed is hurtful and causes suffering, it's not cathartic or triumphant. Limit time exposure to violence especially in videogames.
Content These ages can handle exposure to more complex social issues of wealth, poverty, crime, racism. Also pertinent are authority issues, anger, peer pressure, hip-ness issues. Also appropriate are sexual initiation issues and mores (not explicit).
Scariness Dramatic or psychological suspense and horror (no graphic gore, at the Stephen King (Carrie) level).
Commercialism Note all product tie ins and placements and point out how they are subtly embedded in media.
Alcohol/Drug Use
 Note all product tie iNo use by underage children or teens. Make sure any use has consequences.s and placements and point out how they are subtly embedded in media.
Social Behavior
 Negative roles with negative consequences okay.