Raising Ben 10 age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Ben 10 age rating: the 2016 Ben 10 reboot on Cartoon Network is rated TV-Y7 in the US, meaning directed to children 7 and older, per TheTVDB. In the UK, the BBFC rates its episodes PG for violence and threat. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 8 and up, citing lots of fantasy violence such as punches, explosions, and laser rays, with no one hurt except the bad guys. It lists the original 2005 series for 8+ as well.
Ben 10 at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
TV-Y7 per TheTVDB; BBFC: PG - ✓Violence in rating descriptors
BBFC: violence (PG episodes) - ✓Scary content in rating descriptors
BBFC: threat (PG episodes) - –Bad language in rating descriptors
None in BBFC advice - –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
None in BBFC advice - –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
BBFC: PG; FSK not confirmed
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Cartoon Network action cartoon (2016–2021) about a boy who turns into aliens source |
|---|---|
| US (TV rating) | TV-Y7 (directed to children 7 and older), per TheTVDB source |
| UK (BBFC) | PG (parental guidance) — violence, threat; a few episodes add rude humor or dangerous behavior source |
| Common Sense Media | 8+ — lots of fantasy violence (punches, explosions, laser rays) |
| Original series (2005) | TV-Y7 (FV, fantasy violence), per Rotten Tomatoes; Common Sense Media 8+; BBFC mostly PG, a few 12 |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What Ben 10 is about
Ben 10 is a Cartoon Network franchise about Ben Tennyson, a 10-year-old who can change into 10 different alien heroes. The 2016 reboot is set in its own continuity, separate from the earlier shows. It premiered in Australia and Asia-Pacific on October 1, 2016, in the UK on October 8, 2016, and in the US on April 10, 2017, and ended April 11, 2021, after four seasons, according to Wikipedia. The original Ben 10 premiered December 27, 2005, and was followed by Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, and Omniverse.
Ben 10 age rating: what's in it
Short answer: TV-Y7 in the US and PG in the UK.
- US: TV-Y7, directed to children 7 and older, per TheTVDB; we couldn't find a Cartoon Network or streamer listing to confirm it.
- UK (BBFC): PG, for violence and threat; a few episodes add rude humor or dangerous behavior.
- Germany: we couldn't confirm an FSK rating.
- Common Sense Media: 8+.
Common Sense Media describes lots of fantasy violence, including punches, explosions, and laser rays, with no one getting hurt except the bad guys. It finds no bad language, sex, or drinking, and notes the many toys and games tied to the series.
Is the original Ben 10 different?
Short answer: Its ratings are similar. Rotten Tomatoes lists the 2005 series as TV-Y7 (FV), where FV stands for fantasy violence, and Common Sense Media lists it for 8+. The BBFC rates most of its episodes PG and a few 12, and describes implied punches, lasers, and robots smashed with a crowbar and a baseball bat. Common Sense Media notes that the transformation scenes, with dramatic visuals and music, may frighten younger viewers.
The habit kids may copy: fight first
When a villain shows up, Ben's first move is usually to transform and fight.
Try tonight: the power to pause
Next time your child is about to "go alien" on a sibling, freeze together for three slow breaths. Say: "My superpower is the pause." In our program, this is the lesson "The Pause Button": stop, breathe, choose.
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FAQ
What age is Ben 10 for?
TheTVDB lists the 2016 series as TV-Y7, for children 7 and older, and the BBFC rates it PG. Common Sense Media lists it for ages 8 and up.
Is Ben 10 violent?
The BBFC lists violence and threat on its PG episodes, and Common Sense Media describes lots of fantasy violence, such as punches, explosions, and laser rays.
What is the original Ben 10 rated?
Rotten Tomatoes lists the 2005 series as TV-Y7 (FV), for fantasy violence. Common Sense Media lists it for 8+.
When did the Ben 10 reboot come out?
It premiered in October 2016 outside the US and on April 10, 2017, in the US, and ended in April 2021, according to Wikipedia.
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