Is GTA 6 OK for kids? The age rating, explained for parents
Short answer: No, GTA 6 is made for adults. The ESRB rates it M (Mature 17+) and it is reported as PEGI 18 in Europe, because of strong violence, sexual content, nudity, drugs and bad language. It also has in-game purchases. You can block it with the parental controls on PS5 and Xbox.
By GTA6Geek Editorial · Published · Updated
Image: Rockstar Games
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GTA 6 age ratings around the world
| What | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ESRB (USA, Canada) | M, Mature 17+: blood and gore, intense violence, mature humor, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, drugs and alcohol | Official |
| ESRB notice | In-game purchases | Official |
| PEGI (Europe, UK) | 18: extreme violence, sex, drugs, in-game purchases | Reported |
| Australia | R18+: drug use, high-impact violence, sex scenes (store listing) | Reported |
What is in GTA 6
GTA 6 is an open-world crime game. Its story follows Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, two criminals in Leonida, a state based on Florida. The official trailers show armed robberies, shootouts, police chases, partying and drug use, and the ESRB also lists nudity and strong sexual content.
In an open world, players choose much of what they do, but the story itself includes these themes. It is not a game where you can simply switch the adult content off.
Can a 12, 14 or 16 year old play GTA 6?
The ratings say no: the ESRB says 17 and older, and PEGI says 18. Ratings are guidance, and the final choice is yours as a parent. In some countries, such as the UK, shops are not allowed to sell PEGI 18 games to under-18s.
A good way to decide is to watch the official GTA 6 trailers yourself first. They show the tone of the game well.
How to block GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox
- PS5: set up a child account in Family Management, then set an age level for games. A child set below 17 or 18 cannot start GTA 6.
- Xbox: use the free Xbox Family Settings app to set content filters by age and to approve or block games.
- Spending: both consoles let you set a monthly spending limit, which also covers in-game purchases.
The ESRB has step-by-step guides for every console: ESRB parental controls guides ↗.
Watch out for GTA 6 scams
Children are often targeted by fake “free GTA 6” downloads, mobile apps and early-access offers. GTA 6 is only on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and there is no free or mobile version. See our GTA 6 scams guide.
Sources: ESRB rating ↗, ESRB PS5 parental controls ↗, TwistedVoxel (PEGI) ↗
GTA 6 age ratings around the world
GTA 6 is rated for adults in every major market.
| Country | Rating | Why | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA, Canada | ESRB M (Mature 17+) | Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong sexual content, drugs and alcohol; in-game purchases | Official |
| Europe, UK | PEGI 18 | Extreme violence, sex, drugs | Reported |
| Germany | USK 18 | Drastic violence, drugs, criminal role models | Official |
| Australia | R18+ | Drug use, high-impact violence, sex scenes | Reported |
| New Zealand | R18 | Drug use, graphic violence, nudity, offensive language, sex scenes | Reported |
| Saudi Arabia, UAE | 21+ | Shown on regional store listings | Reported |
| Japan | CERO Z (18+) | Adults only | Reported |
| Brazil | ClassInd 18 | Sex, drugs, offensive language, violence | Reported |
| South Korea | 19+ | Adults only | Reported |
Store-listing ratings can still change before launch. Checked 24 Oct 2026.
Can kids chat with strangers in GTA 6?
Not inside the game at launch. GTA 6 launches as a single-player game; no online mode has been dated. Official But the console’s own party chat and messages still work, and GTA 6 Online will add online play later.
Turn off chat with strangers:
- PS5: Family Management › your child › Parental Controls › set Communication and User-Generated Content to Restrict. You can also set the age level for games.
- Xbox: Xbox Family Settings › Manage online communications › choose Friends only or No one. You can also block Join multiplayer games.
Set play time and spending limits
Both consoles let a parent account set limits for a child account. Rockstar has not announced any separate parental controls inside GTA 6.
- PS5: in Family Management you can set daily play time, a monthly spending limit, an age level for games and limits on chat and messages.
- Xbox: the free Xbox Family Settings app lets you set screen time, approve purchases, block games above an age rating and control who your child can chat with.
- Tip: set the spending limit to zero if you do not want any in-game purchases without asking you first.
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Can you play GTA 6 offline? And do you need PS Plus?
Yes, the story can be played offline, and you don’t need PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core.
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GTA 6 languages: is it in Hindi, Arabic or Turkish?
GTA 6 launches with 13 languages, the same set as GTA 5: English, French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Polish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain) and Portuguese (Brazil).
Frequently asked questions
Is GTA 6 rated M?
Yes. The ESRB rates GTA 6 M for Mature 17+, and it is reported as PEGI 18 in Europe.
Is GTA 6 OK for a 13 year old?
The ratings say no: 17+ in the US and 18 in Europe. The final choice is the parent’s, and you can block the game with console parental controls.
Does GTA 6 have in-game purchases?
Yes. The ESRB rating includes an in-game purchases notice. You can set spending limits on PS5 and Xbox.
Does GTA 6 have a kids or family mode?
No. Rockstar has not announced a kids mode, family mode or content filter for GTA 6. Use your console’s family settings instead.
Can I stop my child from buying things in GTA 6?
Yes. Set the monthly spending limit to zero in PS5 Family Management, or turn on “Ask a parent” for purchases in the Xbox Family Settings app.
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