What Is Among Us and Is It Safe for Kids? 2025 Update

Among Us is a fun, social game that’s still popular with kids and adults alike. If you’re familiar with social deduction party games like Werewolf or Mafia, Among Us is a digital version with quirky visuals, quick rounds, and plenty of teamwork (and trickery).

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Here’s what parents should know before letting their kids play:

What is Among Us?

Among Us is a multiplayer online game that supports four to ten players in classic mode. The game takes place on a spaceship (or sometimes in other themed locations) and players are randomly assigned one of two roles: crewmate or Impostor.

Crewmates work together to complete small tasks and keep the ship running smoothly, while Impostors try to sabotage the mission and eliminate the crew without being discovered. Rounds usually last between five and fifteen minutes, and players can either join games with friends or play online with strangers.

Since 2024, Among Us has introduced new roles (like Detective and Viper) and expanded gameplay options through updates and mods. The game is now available on mobile, PC, console and VR, so how kids play and what features they use can vary across devices.

Should kids play Among Us?

Among Us is engaging, funny, and highly social. It can be a great way for kids to connect with friends, but parents should be aware of a few things before giving the green light.

The Apple App Store rates Among Us for ages 9+ due to infrequent cartoonish violence and mild horror themes. Those ratings don’t reflect the game’s focus on deception, one of the main mechanics is lying to win. Kids need enough emotional maturity to understand that dishonesty is part of the game and not something to imitate outside of it.

There’s also a chat function that lets players discuss who they think the Impostor is. In public games, this chat is often unmoderated, and usernames can be inappropriate. While the default text chat includes a language filter, that filter can be turned off by the host of any given game.

Many players also use voice chat apps like Discord to communicate during play, which introduces additional risks like exposure to strangers, cyberbullying or inappropriate language.

How to make Among Us safer for kids

A few simple steps can make the game much safer and more enjoyable:

• Use Private Lobbies
• Create a private game and share the room code only with trusted friends or family. That keeps random players out.
• Enable the Chat Censor
• Make sure the language filter is turned on to block inappropriate words in text chat.
• Keep the Game Updated
• Among Us releases regular updates to patch bugs and improve safety features. Playing on outdated versions can increase the chance of technical or security issues.
• Monitor Gameplay
• If your child is hosting, they can kick or ban disruptive players by clicking the boot icon next to their name.
• Skip Public Play for Younger Kids
• Sticking to private lobbies limits exposure to strangers and makes the experience more family-friendly.
• Check Platform Settings
• If your child plays on PC, console or VR, check system-level voice and chat settings to ensure privacy features are turned on.

And if you’re curious, try playing a few rounds together! It’s a great way to stay involved and model positive play habits.

Is Among Us right for your family?

Among Us includes cartoonish violence and themes that may not suit younger players, but it’s also an accessible, cooperative game that can help kids connect with friends. As the game continues to evolve with new roles, updates, and more ways to play, parents should stay engaged and periodically revisit settings to make sure the experience remains safe.

And, if you're looking for kid-safe ways to connect with your family online, check out the Kinzoo app. It's free to download and full of fun features that you can enjoy together with children!

Image Credit: Ascannio / Shutterstock.com

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