Mobile Apps Get Rated

A recent article in USAToday (Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, Mike Snider) explained the new ratings that are going to apply to mobile applications and games on smartphones and tablets. According to the article, the ratings used by AT&t Wireless, Microsoft, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless are the same ratings given to video games.

The ratings include the following:

• E for everyone - 6 years old and older
• E 10+ - 10 years old and older
• T 13+ - Teens
• M 17+ - Mature audiences
• A 18+ - Adults only

Smartphone and tablet apps first appeared around 2005. The companies that have created the apps have also assigned the rating. In the future, apps creators submit the app to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and the Board will assign a rating. There is an appeal process for ratings that app creators don't agree with the ESRB.