Parental controls on PlayStation consoles allow parents and guardians to restrict content, control spending, and manage communication features, ensuring a safe gaming environment for their children. These empower parents and guardians to manage their kids' online activities, screen time, and spending habits.
Continue as we walk you through setting parental controls on your PlayStation console. By implementing these, you can safeguard your child's digital well-being and peace of mind.
Step 1: Sign In and Access Family Management
- Log into Account Management: Sign in to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account from a computer or mobile device.
- Go to Family Management: Select the "Family Management" option to access family settings.
- Choose a child profile: From the list of family members to whom you want to apply controls, select a child account.
- Adjust settings: Choose "Edit" to change parental control features, such as playtime, content limitations, and communication settings.
Step 2: Set Parental Controls on Your PS5 Console
- Open Settings on PS5: Navigate to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management.
- Select a Feature to Adjust: Pick the feature you want to restrict, such as game age limits, online browsing, or PlayStation VR usage.
- Verify the Child Account: Ensure your child has completed email verification and is signed into PSN on their console to activate these settings.
Step 3: Restrict Playtime and Age-Appropriate Content
- Set Playtime Limits: In the "Playtime Settings," define how much time your child can play daily or weekly. You can set a time limit or a timetable for when they can play.
- Set Age Levels for Games and Apps: Adjust the age level for games to ensure that users can access content appropriate for their age. This includes games, Blu-ray Discs, and DVDs.
- Use of PlayStation VR: PlayStation VR and VR2 are restricted to children under 12. The options allow you to manage VR usage for child accounts.
Step 4: Restrict Communication and User-Generated Content
- Restrict Communication Features: Ban in-game text and voice chat to limit communication with other players. This includes sharing user-generated content, such as screenshots and gameplay videos.
- Manage Exceptions: If a restricted game or communication feature is needed, your child can send a request to make an exception. You will receive a notification, which you may control through the PlayStation App, the console, or your online account.
Step 5: Set Spending Limits
- Adjust Spending Limits: Set a monthly spending limit for your child's account to prevent unapproved purchases. Navigate to Account Management > Family Management, select the child account, and enter a specified amount in the "Monthly Spending Limit" field.
- Default Limit: This limit is set to zero by default. If you want to allow purchases, adjust it as needed.
Step 6: Secure Parental Controls
To stop your kids from altering these settings:
- To lock Account Changes: Navigate to Settings > Family & Parental Controls and adjust the permissions so that only parents or guardians can modify control settings.
- Sign Out to Apply Changes: After adjusting the settings, have your child log out and back in to confirm that all restrictions are activated.