Transparency first
How ScreenWise works
Every verdict on ScreenWise comes from a consistent, documented process. Here is exactly how we rate content.
ScreenWise is a parental content guide that helps families make informed decisions about games, movies, and TV shows. We rate content across six categories — violence, language, sexual content, horror, online safety, and in-app purchases — and combine those into a clear overall verdict.
We are not a replacement for official ratings bodies like the ESRB or MPAA. We use those ratings as one input alongside richer metadata, and we present everything in plain language so parents can make their own call for their own family.
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How verdicts are calculated
1
Pull official rating data
We retrieve the official ESRB rating (for games) or MPAA/TV rating (for movies and shows), including all content descriptors such as "Blood and Gore", "Strong Language", or "Drug Reference".
2
Enrich with content metadata
We cross-reference with RAWG (games) and TMDB (movies and shows) to add content tags, genre information, platform details, and community-reported content flags.
3
Score each category
A rules-based scoring system maps rating descriptors and metadata tags to our six content categories. Each category receives a level: None, Mild, Moderate, or Strong. The rules are consistent across all titles.
4
Generate the overall verdict
Category scores combine into one of three overall verdicts. A single Strong score in any category triggers "Use caution" at minimum. Multiple Strong scores trigger "Not recommended for younger children".
5
Write the plain-English summary
The structured data is passed through an AI writing step to generate a 2-3 sentence parent summary in plain language — explaining the reasoning in terms parents actually use.
Generally safe
No significant concerns across any category. Most children in the recommended age range can enjoy this content, though every family is different.
Use caution
One or more categories have moderate or strong concerns. May be appropriate with parental guidance, settings changes, or for children at the upper end of the age range.
Not recommended
Multiple strong-concern categories or very mature content. Parents should review carefully before allowing access, especially for younger children.
ScreenWise pulls from four primary sources. All data is accessed via official APIs under their published terms of service.
RAWG.io
500,000+ games with ESRB ratings, descriptors, content tags, screenshots, and platform data.
IGDB (via Twitch)
Deep game metadata including content themes and age ratings. Used to supplement RAWG.
TMDB
200,000+ movies and TV shows with MPAA ratings, cast, streaming availability, and imagery.
OMDb / IMDb data
Supplementary MPAA ratings and plot summaries where TMDB data has gaps.
A note on accuracy: Our ratings are generated from structured metadata, not from watching or playing every title. We always recommend parents preview content they are uncertain about. Every child is different, and ScreenWise is a starting point, not the final word.
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How often content updates
Our database refreshes weekly. New titles typically appear on ScreenWise within seven days of their release date. Each content page shows a "Updated [Month Year]" timestamp. If you notice outdated information, use the contact form below to flag it.
Something missing or incorrect?
If you find a title that is missing, a rating that seems wrong, or content we have not accounted for, we want to know.
✉ Send us a note