Should I let my child play Among Us?
10–12
Yes, if chat is limited to ready-made messages
For ages 10 to 12 on a child account, where they can only send ready-made messages unless you allow typing.
No, if they can type to strangers
From 13, children can turn on typing to strangers themselves, and we couldn't find a way for parents to stop it.
Among Us itself is gentle: cartoon characters, short rounds and no realistic violence. The risk is chat. In public games, players type freely to strangers, and a 2022 Kotaku investigation found public games used to swap Snapchat details, mostly by children. Under-13s can only send ready-made messages (the game calls this Quick Chat) unless a parent allows typing, so our rules allow it from 10 with the steps below in place. From 13, players can turn on typing themselves. We couldn't find a way for parents to lock it, so for teenagers our answer is no.
Among Us (ready-made messages) passes all 7 safety checks. Among Us (free typing) fails 2 of our 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings
What is Among Us?
Among Us is a cartoon party game for 4 to 15 players on a spaceship. Most are crewmates doing tasks, and a few are secret impostors trying to eliminate them, so players chat to work out who to vote off.
Our advice by age
- Under 10
- NoESRB and Common Sense Media rate Among Us 10+, and we never go below the highest official rating.
- 10 to 12
- Only with conditionsOnly on a child account with Quick Chat, and only if you don't give permission for free chat. Set up every step below.
- 13 to 17
- NoFrom 13, players can switch free chat with strangers on themselves, and we couldn't find a way for parents to lock it. If your teenager already plays, agree they'll keep Quick Chat on and play private games with friends.
What to watch out for
Contact from strangersRisk is high by default, low with controls on
Public lobbies put players in free text chat with strangers. A 2022 Kotaku investigation found lobbies used to swap Snapchat details, where most players were children. In Quick Chat, children can only send fixed phrases and can't share personal information.
Rude chat and namesRisk is medium by default, low with controls on
Free chat and player names can include swearing and racist, sexist or homophobic language. Quick Chat and the chat filter block most of it.
Cartoon violenceRisk is low by default, low with controls on
Impostors eliminate crewmates in short cartoon animations, sometimes with a little blood. It's played for laughs, but some younger children find it scary.
SpendingRisk is low by default, low with controls on
Hats, pets and skins cost a few pounds each and give no advantage in the game. Purchase approval stops surprise bills.
What's good about it
- Teamwork, reasoning and explaining your thinking
- Short rounds that work well with family and friends
- Quick Chat lets younger children play without typing to strangers
- Private games with a code mean you choose who your child plays with
How to set it up safely
Required steps are the conditions of our verdict. If you can't do them, our answer is no. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.
Use your child's real date of birthRequired
Under-13s get a child account with Quick Chat. A wrong birthday removes that protection.
Don't give permission for free chatRequired
Innersloth asks a parent before an under-13 can use free chat. Say no, and Quick Chat stays on.
Turn on purchase approvalRequired
Use Ask to Buy on Apple, or the approval settings on Google Play or your console.
Play private games with friends you knowRequired
Host or join games with a code you share with real-life friends, instead of public lobbies.
Talk about who they meetRequired
Agree they'll tell you if anyone asks them to chat on Snapchat, Discord or another app.
Keep the chat filter onRecommended
Censor Chat hides most swearing and slurs if free chat is ever used.
Recent news
- Innersloth reveals new standalone game and soft-launches Among Us animated seriesGamesBeat
A new game, Among Us Story: On Guard, is coming to PC, and an Among Us cartoon series is on Paramount+. We'll review the new game separately.
- Innersloth shares Among Us roadmap, gives TV show status updateGoNintendo
New roles and cosmetics are planned for 2026. Nothing announced changes chat or parental controls.
Common questions
What age is Among Us suitable for?
From 10 to 12, on a child account with Quick Chat and no permission for free chat. ESRB and Common Sense Media rate it 10+. From 13, players can turn free chat on themselves and we couldn't find a parent lock, so for teenagers our answer is no.
Is Among Us safe for a 7-year-old?
No. ESRB and Common Sense Media rate it 10+, and we never go below the highest official rating.
Why is it a no for teenagers but okay for a 10-year-old?
Because only under-13s get a chat setting a parent controls. Teenagers can switch free chat with strangers on themselves, and our rules only count controls a child can't undo.
Can strangers talk to my child in Among Us?
In public lobbies with free chat, yes. On an under-13 account in Quick Chat, other players can only see fixed phrases, and your child can't share personal information. Private games with a code are safer still.
How do I stop my child spending money in Among Us?
Turn on Ask to Buy on Apple devices, or purchase approval on Google Play or your console. Purchases are only cosmetic, but they add up.
All my child's friends play it. What should I do?
That's hard when friends are playing it. From 10 to 12, your child can play with chat limited to ready-made messages. For teenagers, explain why typing to strangers is the risk, rather than just saying no. If your teenager already plays, agree they'll keep ready-made messages on, play private games with friends they know and tell you if anyone asks to chat on another app.
What would change your verdict?
A parent lock on free chat for teenagers, or strict age checks (such as a face scan) so teenagers only chat with checked players their own age. Then 13 to 17-year-olds could get the same answer as younger children: only with conditions.
How old was your child when they first played Among Us?
Other parents' answers. They don't change our verdict.