Mobile software content rating system

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A mobile software content rating system is a rating system which is tailored to users of mobile software.

Video Mobile software content rating system

Existing systems

Apple App Store

Apple's rating system for the App Store follows the following rubric:

4+: Contains no objectionable material.
9+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 9.
12+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 12.
17+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 17.

Apps rated 17+ are prohibited from purchase by younger users.

Appstores using IARC shows local rating (e.g. ESRB and ACB) where applicable.

Google Play

Up until March 17, 2015 Google Play used the following rubric:

Everyone
Low maturity
Medium maturity
High maturity

Google now uses the International Age Rating Coalition in most countries not represented by a rating authority.

CTIA Mobile Application Rating System

The CTIA - The Wireless Association, 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.

Amazon Appstore

On the Amazon Appstore, "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:

General (G) - All ages
Teen (T) - May not be suitable for children under the age of 13
Mature (M) - May not be suitable for children under the age of 17
Adult (A) - 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.

Common Sense Media

2+
3+
4+
5+
6+
7+
8+
9+
10+
11+
12+
13+
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17+
18+

Maps Mobile software content rating system

Comparison

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 - Restrictive: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences.
Black - Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Purchase age-restricted / Banned.