android-play-accessibility-age-rating-readiness

name	android-play-accessibility-age-rating-readiness
description	Review Android accessibility, Play age rating, target audience, minors, ads, and sensitive access patterns before release.

Android Accessibility, Age Rating & Audience Readiness

Use this skill to verify that the app is accessible enough, accurately rated, and configured for the right audience on Google Play.

Core Rule

Play Console audience answers must match reality. Do not select an older audience to avoid child policy if the product, marketing, screenshots, characters, language, or acquisition channels clearly appeal to children.

Content Rating

Before release:

• complete content rating questionnaire accurately
• update rating answers when features/content change
• account for UGC, AI outputs, chat, violence, sexual content, substances, gambling, health, finance, location sharing, and user interaction
• ensure screenshots and description match rating

If AI or UGC can produce mature content, the rating and safeguards must reflect that risk.

Target Audience

Check:

Question	Evidence
Who is the app designed for?	product positioning, copy, screenshots, acquisition
Can children access it?	age gate, account signup, content restrictions
Does it have UGC/social/chat?	reporting/blocking/moderation
Does it show ads?	SDKs and Families self-certified requirements if children included
Does it contain age-restricted features?	dating/matchmaking/gambling/real-money contests
Does AI generate potentially mature content?	filters, rating, gating, report flow

Children / Families Gate

If any target audience includes children:

• comply with Families requirements
• use only compliant/self-certified ad SDKs where required
• ensure content is child-appropriate
• avoid unsafe UGC/chat flows
• avoid behavioral advertising where prohibited
• handle data collection with stricter child privacy expectations
• avoid adult AI/UGC features for minors

If children are not the target audience, the listing and app should not appear child-directed.

Age-Restricted Functionality

Apps with core dating/matchmaking or real-money gambling/games/contests must use Play Console tools to block minors where required.

If dating/matchmaking is incidental, maintain effective age-gating to prevent minors from accessing that feature.

High-risk features:

• dating/matchmaking
• anonymous/random chat
• sexual or romantic AI companion features
• real-money games/contests/gambling
• adult UGC
• prediction markets with real-money transactions

Accessibility QA

Minimum Android accessibility checks:

Area	Pass condition
Touch targets	Important controls are about 48dp or larger
Text scaling	UI survives increased font size
Contrast	Text/icons readable in light and dark themes
TalkBack labels	Icon buttons and custom controls have labels
Focus order	TalkBack focus follows logical reading/action order
State announcement	toggles, selected tabs, errors, loading states are announced
Error handling	form errors are near fields and screen-reader discoverable
Motion	strong/repetitive motion has reduced-motion alternative
Color dependency	color is not the only state signal

React Native specifics:

• use accessibilityRole
• use accessibilityLabel for icon-only buttons
• use accessibilityState for selected/disabled/checked/busy states
• avoid inaccessible custom controls when native controls would work
• test with Android TalkBack, not only iOS VoiceOver

Store Listing Consistency

Check that:

• screenshots do not imply a younger audience than selected
• description does not include child-directed language if children are excluded
• content rating matches AI/UGC/social realities
• privacy policy explains children/minor handling where relevant
• ads and tracking declarations align with audience

Blockers

Blocker	Fix
Target audience excludes children but app is clearly child-directed	Reassess audience or redesign listing/product
AI/UGC can show mature content to minors	Add age gate, filters, moderation, and rating update
Dating/matchmaking feature accessible to minors	Use required Play Console minor-blocking or effective feature-level age gate
Icon buttons lack labels	Add accessibilityLabel and role/state
Text breaks under large font scale	Redesign layout for dynamic type
Ads SDK not suitable for children when children included	Replace or restrict ad serving appropriately

Output Format

Accessibility/audience verdict

Ready / Not ready / Unknown

Audience/rating status

Area	Status	Notes
Content rating	unknown	Questionnaire answers not provided
Target audience	warn	Teen appeal but adult-only selected
Accessibility	block	Icon-only controls unlabeled

Required fixes

Fix	Where	Verification	Owner
Add TalkBack labels to bottom nav icons	React Native components	TalkBack announces each destination	Engineering