Among Us has become a hugely popular game, with its quirky crewmates and sneaky imposters making it a hit with players of all ages. But if you have a 7-year-old who wants to join the fun, you might be wondering: is Among Us safe for them?

In short, while Among Us can be relatively safe for children aged 7 and older to play, it comes with some important "buts" that parents need to know about and manage carefully. Most official age ratings suggest the game is better for slightly older kids due to its themes and online interactions.

Understanding Among Us Age Ratings

Age ratings can be a bit confusing because different organizations have different guidelines. Here’s what the common ratings say about Among Us:

• ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board): This rating is common in North America and gives Among Us an E10+ for Everyone 10+. This means it's generally suitable for ages 10 and up. They list "Fantasy Violence" and "Mild Blood" as content descriptors, along with "Users Interact" and "In-Game Purchases."
• PEGI (Pan European Game Information): Used in Europe, PEGI rates Among Us as 7+. This means it's considered suitable for children aged 7 and over, noting mild violence.
• Apple App Store: The game is rated 9+ on the Apple App Store.
• Developer Recommendation: InnerSloth, the creators of Among Us, recommend the game for children aged 10 and up.

So, while PEGI says 7+, most other ratings lean towards 9 or 10 and up. This difference often comes down to the online social parts of the game, not just the cartoon violence.

What Makes Among Us Questionable for Younger Kids?

Even though the graphics are cartoony, there are a few things parents should consider:

• Cartoon Violence: The game involves "imposters" killing "crewmates" through various animations like stabbing, shooting, or impalement. While there's no realistic blood and it's not overly graphic, it still depicts murder. For example, my younger cousin, who is 8, thought it was hilarious to see the little character get "ejected into space," but I’ve seen other kids her age get a bit startled by the quick animations. It really depends on the child.
• Online Interactions and Strangers: This is often the biggest concern. Among Us is a multiplayer game, and if your child plays in public games, they'll be playing with people they don't know (strangers).
• Free Text Chat: Public games often involve a text chat function where players can type messages to each other during meetings. This can expose children to inappropriate language, bullying, or even attempts from strangers to get personal information. While there are chat filters, they aren't always perfect and some players find ways around them.
• Themes of Deception and Betrayal: The core of the game is about lying and figuring out who is lying. Imposters have to trick crewmates, and crewmates have to deduce who the imposters are. While this can teach critical thinking, it might be tricky for some 7-year-olds to fully grasp the difference between lying in a game and lying in real life.

How to Make Among Us Safer for a 7-Year-Old

If you decide to let your 7-year-old play Among Us, there are ways to make it much safer:

• Only Play in Private Lobbies: This is the most important step. Private games require a code to join, meaning only people you and your child invite can play. This ensures they are only playing with friends and family you trust. This helps prevent interactions with strangers and exposure to bad language or bullying. If you want to know more about connecting with friends, check out our guide on How to Add Friends on Among Us.
• Use Quick Chat: Among Us offers a "Quick Chat" option, which uses pre-set phrases instead of free typing. This is a great way to limit inappropriate communication for younger players.
• Parental Supervision: Play together or supervise their games. This way, you can see what they're encountering and talk to them about it. I remember playing a few rounds with my own niece when she was seven, and it was a great way to see what the game was like firsthand and chat with her about the game’s rules and social parts afterward.
• Discuss Online Safety: Talk to your child about the importance of never sharing personal information online, even if someone asks for it. Also, teach them what to do if they see or hear something that makes them uncomfortable.
• Set Up Child Accounts Correctly: For children under 13, Among Us requires parental permission to create an account. Make sure you use their correct birth date when setting up the account and provide your email for the necessary permissions.

Ultimately, deciding if Among Us is suitable for your 7-year-old depends on your child's maturity, your family's rules, and how closely you can manage their gameplay. By taking precautions like sticking to private games and using Quick Chat, you can create a safer environment for them to enjoy the game.

If your child enjoys games like Among Us and wants to customize their characters with fun skins or pets, you can use Playstorm to earn gift cards for their in-game purchases. By playing free games on Playstorm, they can work towards earning Google Play or Apple App Store gift cards, which can then be used in Among Us!