If you have older children, chances are they’ve already asked you to get them a copy of “Grand Theft Auto IV.” So what do you do? On the one hand, the title doesn’t sound very kid-friendly. On the other, it’s just a video game—how bad can it be?

Well, as the parent, that’s your call. But help is available. The Entertainment Software Rating Board exists to assist consumers who want to make informed decisions about what kinds of entertainment they bring into their homes. (Perhaps you’ve heard of these folks; they’re sometimes referred to as “responsible citizens.")

Of course, the ESRB’s rating system is no less nebulous than what you get from its cinematic equivalent, the MPAA. (E10+ is the game world’s ridiculously finer-point version of PG-13—I mean, what part of “parental guidance” did we not understand?) And because each parent has their own individual standards of what is or isn’t appropriate, the ratings are ultimately open to your personal interpretation and final judgment.

In other words, they’re there to help you, not to make decisions for you. As we’ve said before, “parent” is a verb, too. So be an active participant in your kids’ gaming choices by looking for the following symbols, which can be found in the lower left corner of every game box. (Please also note that a more detailed content warning can be found on the back of the box.)

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.

EVERYONE
Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

EVERYONE 10+
Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.

 

TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. 

 

MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

 

ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

For the record, “GTA IV” is rated M for Mature, due to blood, intense violence, partial nudity, strong language, strong sexual content and use of drugs and alcohol.