A new campaign to raise consumer awareness includes a handy app that puts the entire ESRB rating database at your fingertips.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board announced a new iPhone application today that allows users remote access to the ESRB ratings database.

In an effort to boost parent involvement in raising their children the ESRB timed this new app to coincide with the start of the Christmas shopping season, and the program goes beyond the descriptors on the back of every game package to provide an explanation of all content descriptors and questionable material in the title. A new public service announcement will also be seen this month urging parents to be aware of what their children are playing.

"This new rating search application puts all this information at parents' fingertips when they need it most, right at the store," said ESRB president Patricia Vance. "It's a powerful tool that will help assure parents that the games they gives as gifts are not only fun but also appropriate for their children."