adultcentric

Adultcentric is an adjective used to describe products, media, or environments designed or marketed primarily for adult audiences. It signals that content assumes adult users as the main participants and that themes, complexity, or features may not be suitable for children. The term contrasts with child-centric or family-friendly approaches.

In marketing and product design, adultcentric strategies prioritize factors valued by adults, such as privacy, efficiency, realism, and nuanced storytelling. In media studies, the term is used to analyze works that cater to mature sensibilities, exploring complex moral, social, or psychological themes.

Applications include video games with mature themes, films and literature, news formats, and educational materials that assume self-directed learning and higher cognitive engagement. In user experience, adultcentric design may align with longer attention spans and explicit user control.

Ethical and regulatory considerations include ensuring age-appropriate access through ratings and moderation, and addressing accessibility and inclusivity for non-traditional adult users, older users, or people with disabilities. Critics warn against excessive exclusion of younger audiences or reinforcing adult-centric biases.

See also: age rating, adult content, target audience, and andragogy.