Age rating of podcasts in Spain: a case study in RNE Audio plattform

Abstract

Podcasts have become a prominent medium for both information and entertainment, demonstrating their growing popularity. However, the platform has not yet established an age rating system to guide users in evaluating the suitability of content for their profile. Research demonstrates that minors are protected in their consumption of audiovisual content through the implementation of age warning codes for films, television, and video games. However, no such regulatory measures are in place for audio products. Despite the interest of governments themselves in protecting children from content that could affect their cognitive development, no guidelines for digital audio have yet been agreed or standardized. The following article will test the application of the Audio Con_Sentido (2025) code, developed by iCmedia to address this shortcoming, in podcasts on the Spanish public platform RNE Audio, which was launched in 2024. The findings corroborate the pertinence of the tool in identifying potentially harmful titles and treatments for minors, thereby validating the industry's proposal for straightforward incorporation of an audio and/or visual warning classification based on content. This would empower parents and guardians to guide the selection of podcasts available on streaming audio services.