In the United States, mature entertainment and media content is primarily regulated through a series of self-regulatory rating systems. These systems identify content containing intense violence, strong language, sexual themes, or drug use to help audiences make informed viewing and purchasing decisions. Mature Maturity Ratings by Medium
Graphic violence, explicit sexual activity, or crude indecent language. M (Mature)
Intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language. AO (Adults Only) Prolonged intense violence or graphic sexual content. Detailed Content Descriptors
Mature content is labeled differently depending on whether it is a film, a TV show, or a video game. Mature Rating Age Recommendation Typical Content R (Restricted) 17+ (under 17 needs adult)
Beyond the age rating, many systems include specific "content descriptors" to explain why a program received its rating: ESRB Ratings Guides, Categories, Content Descriptors
Intense violence, hard language, sexual nudity, or drug abuse. NC-17 Explicit adult content more intense than an R rating. TV Shows TV-MA
In the United States, mature entertainment and media content is primarily regulated through a series of self-regulatory rating systems. These systems identify content containing intense violence, strong language, sexual themes, or drug use to help audiences make informed viewing and purchasing decisions. Mature Maturity Ratings by Medium
Graphic violence, explicit sexual activity, or crude indecent language. M (Mature)
Intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language. AO (Adults Only) Prolonged intense violence or graphic sexual content. Detailed Content Descriptors
Mature content is labeled differently depending on whether it is a film, a TV show, or a video game. Mature Rating Age Recommendation Typical Content R (Restricted) 17+ (under 17 needs adult)
Beyond the age rating, many systems include specific "content descriptors" to explain why a program received its rating: ESRB Ratings Guides, Categories, Content Descriptors
Intense violence, hard language, sexual nudity, or drug abuse. NC-17 Explicit adult content more intense than an R rating. TV Shows TV-MA