League of Legends is rated Teen and is free to play, so most parents ask two things: who will my child talk to, and how much will they spend. The honest answer is that chat with strangers is the main risk, and Riot gives you tools for it. This guide uses the ESRB and Riot's support pages, checked on October 10, 2026. Rules vary by country, so read the Riot pages for your region.
Key takeaways
- ESRB rating: T (Teen) for Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco.
- The ESRB does not rate what other players say online.
- Players can mute, block and report others. Reports are anonymous.
- Riot offers a Parent Portal for parental approval and for deactivating an account without losing it.
- Playing is free. Spending is on optional cosmetics bought with Riot Points.
What the game looks like
The game is fantasy combat. Champions fire spells, swing swords and defeat each other in colorful effects. Characters have cartoon-style looks, and defeated champions fade away rather than showing realistic injuries. The ESRB lists the game for Windows and Mac. Riot notes that most of its games are rated Teen by the ESRB, PEGI or IARC, depending on your region, and you can look up your own region's rating.
Some champions and skins use darker or edgier themes, and some characters wear revealing costumes. This is why the ESRB lists Mild Suggestive Themes. Look at the champion list with your child if you are unsure.
Time and habits
A match often lasts 20 to 40 minutes, and a bad one can last longer. You cannot pause a normal match, so ask your child to start a game only when they have enough time. A rule such as "finish the match you are in, then stop" is easier to follow than "stop right now".
Chat and other players
Riot says its games have text and voice chat, and that it works to keep chat positive but cannot fully control it. Heated language happens, especially after a loss. Show your child these tools together:
- Mute: hides a player's chat, pings and emotes for the match. Use the scoreboard icons, or type /mute followed by the name.
- Block: stops that player from sending friend requests, invites or private messages, and hides your chat from them.
- Report: use the red "!" button in champion select, in game or after the match. Reports are anonymous.
Age and parental approval
To open an account, a player must meet the minimum age for the region, and the birth date must be real. Riot's page says parental approval cannot bypass the age rule. In some regions a younger player needs approval at the Riot Parent Portal. After the account is created, the parent gets an email, verifies who they are and grants permission. Approval may also be needed if a child moves to a place with a stricter minimum age.
Account safety checklist
- Create the account with your child's own email address. Each account needs a separate one.
- Do not use a real name, phone number or school in the login name. The login name cannot be changed later.
- Choose a Riot ID that gives away nothing personal. Riot lets players change it for free every 90 days.
- Use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Explain that Riot staff never ask for a password in the game client or in a private message.
- Warn about "free skin" sites and fake installers. They are a common way to steal accounts.
Spending
The game is free. Riot earns money from optional items, mainly skins, bought with Riot Points. Skins change how a champion looks, not how strong it is. Riot's parent page does not describe spending limits for League of Legends, so control purchases through the payment method and the device you own. Do not leave a saved card on an account your child can use freely. If an account is deleted, its purchases are lost for good. Deactivating it through the Parent Portal keeps skins and progress.
Other game modes and who your child meets
Most players start in normal queues against other beginners. Ranked play opens later, and the pressure is higher there because every loss costs points. Some modes, such as ARAM and rotating event modes, are shorter and more relaxed. If your child is easily upset by losing, suggest these modes first. Friends lists are smaller and safer than open queues, so playing with real-life friends in a party is the lowest-risk way to enjoy the game.
Talking about it at home
Rules work better when your child helps write them. Agree on three things: how long they play on school days, what to do when someone is rude (mute, report, move on), and that they come to you if anything feels wrong. Watching a few matches or a pro stream together is also a good start. Parents who understand the game find it easier to talk about it.
Next steps
Play a few matches together with our beginner guide. If your teen likes pro play, see the tournaments page, the Worlds 2026 viewing guide and the League of Legends hub.
