Game · Low risk

Is Tell Me Why safe for your child?

Age guide

16+

We advise Tell Me Why from age 16 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk).

5-8
This narrative adventure game features mature themes and complex emotional scenarios that are not suitable for this age group.
9-12
The game's exploration of trauma, identity, and mental health through its twin protagonists is too advanced for most children in this age range.
13-15
Teenagers in this group might engage with the game's story about siblings uncovering their past, but parental guidance is essential due to themes of domestic abuse and gender identity.
16+
Older teens can appreciate the game's nuanced storytelling, character development, and choices that impact the narrative, which aligns with its mature rating.

Tell Me Why is a single-player adventure game focusing on the bond between twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan, who reunite to unravel the mysteries of their troubled childhood. The game explores themes of memory, trauma, and identity, with a strong emphasis on character relationships.

Age guide
16+
Overall risk
3/10
Violence
2/10
Toxic behaviour
1/10
Stranger contact
1/10
Addiction risk
6/10
Language
4/10
Influence
7/10

What parents should know

Tell Me Why is a narrative adventure game that delves into mature themes of trauma, mental health, and transgender identity. It is designed for older players due to its sensitive content and complex emotional storytelling. Parental discussion is crucial to navigate its heavy subject matter.

What to do about Tell Me Why

Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.

  • The age-by-age verdict
    What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Tell Me Why is 16+, and the answer changes with your child's age.
  • The one setting to change tonight
    The exact Tell Me Why setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it.
  • What to say
    Word-for-word openers for talking about Tell Me Why without a row.
  • Red flags to watch for
    The signals in Tell Me Why that mean it is time to step in.
See what to change tonight

Tell Me Why age rating and parents guide: common questions

What age rating is Tell Me Why?

Parentwise puts Tell Me Why at 16+. We advise Tell Me Why from age 16 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). Violence scores 2/10, language 4/10, stranger contact 1/10 and addiction risk 6/10.

Can a 10 year old play Tell Me Why?

Not by default: we advise Tell Me Why from 16+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. The game's exploration of trauma, identity, and mental health through its twin protagonists is too advanced for most children in this age range.

Can a 12 year old play Tell Me Why?

Not by default: we advise Tell Me Why from 16+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. The game's exploration of trauma, identity, and mental health through its twin protagonists is too advanced for most children in this age range.

Can a 13 year old play Tell Me Why?

Not by default: we advise Tell Me Why from 16+, so at 13 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Teenagers in this group might engage with the game's story about siblings uncovering their past, but parental guidance is essential due to themes of domestic abuse and gender identity.

Is Tell Me Why appropriate for kids?

Tell Me Why is a narrative adventure game that delves into mature themes of trauma, mental health, and transgender identity. Parentwise rates Tell Me Why overall as low risk (3/10), with stranger contact at 1/10 and addiction risk at 6/10.

Is Tell Me Why family friendly?

Tell Me Why is one of the lower-risk titles we rate. It is designed for older players due to its sensitive content and complex emotional storytelling.

Tell Me Why parents guide: what should a parent know first?

Tell Me Why is a narrative adventure game that delves into mature themes of trauma, mental health, and transgender identity. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (1/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (6/10).

Is Tell Me Why safe for kids?

We advise Tell Me Why from age 16 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). It is designed for older players due to its sensitive content and complex emotional storytelling.

Parents also checked

Browse all 1,275 entries · Read our safety guides

Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.