Can a 17 Year Old Buy an M Rated Video Game?

As both an avid gamer and industry analyst, this is a question I‘ve fielded many times from concerned parents. The short answer? Yes, a 17 year old can legally purchase an M rated game on their own based on ESRB guidelines. However, further consideration around maturity, content, and ongoing parental oversight is warranted.

What Do ESRB Ratings Actually Mean?

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a self-regulatory body for the video game industry, assigns age and content ratings to games as guidance for consumers, especially parents.

In addition to age ratings, the ESRB also assigns content descriptors indicating elements like violence, sex, nudity, language, etc.

While these ratings offer guidance, they actually carry no legal authority over who can purchase or play particular games. Participation in the rating system is voluntary for game publishers, though nearly all major companies comply.

Do All 17 Year Olds Have the Maturity for M Rated Content?

This is where subjectivity comes into play. The human brain continues developing crucial decision-making and emotional regulation skills well into our 20s.

• A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open found brain maturation related to impulsivity and sensation-seeking was not complete until ages 25-30 on average.

So while a 17 year old can legally buy M rated games, that does not necessarily mean they possess the maturity and judgement to properly process intense, adult-oriented subject matter.

Percentage of Teen Gamers Playing Mature-Rated Titles

*Statistics from Pew Internet & American Life Project study

As the above data shows, a majority of teens under 18 have already accessed M rated content. But enforcing ESRB guidelines can still mitigate exposure.

Do Retailers Actually Enforce ESRB Ratings?

Major chains like GameStop, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all voluntarily comply with checking IDs and restricting sales of M rated games to shoppers 17 and up. This is not by legal requirement, but internal corporate policy.

Infact, undercover sting operations by the FTC report non-compliance rates between 10-20% among video game retailers. When infraction occurs, employees risk termination as consequence.

And shops aiming for better practices have options like age-gating products or utilizing cash register prompts to remind cashiers to verify age for M rated purchases.

Do Parents Still Need Oversight of 17 Year Old Gamers?

With the prevalence of mature-rated games, parents cannot simply rely on age ratings to shield teenagers from inappropriate content. Proactive measures in the home are key.

Percent of Parents Monitoring Video Game Content for Teens

*Statistics from Pew Research Center study

As teens reach 17, parental supervision admittedly declines despite lingering maturity concerns. But experts implore guardians to remain vigilant by:

• Discussing game content and enforcing appropriate choices
• Setting gameplay time limits
• Utilizing parental controls and privacy settings on consoles
• Directly supervising gaming sessions

"While the draw of popular mature titles is strong, we urge parents to double down on monitoring their teenage children‘s media consumption habits before unintended exposure impacts development and behavior," says Dr. Carolyn Cunningham, MD and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Verdict?

So can a 17 year old legally buy violent, gory, or racy video games on their own? Technically yes, but not always responsibly. Age ratings offer a valuable baseline. However, considered use of content descriptors, retail policies, and ongoing parental guidance is imperative.

All parties share duty to protect adolescents from content deemed inappropriate for any given teen‘s level of maturity and supervision needs.