Among Us
Our age is 10. Fine with settings because of text chat with strangers in public lobbies.
Checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- Generally Safe
- Chat
- Text only, no voice. Under-13s get Quick Chat phrases until a parent allows Free Chat.
- Spending
- Stars for cosmetics, bought in the app
- Parent controls
- Parental permission through Kids Web Services, plus device controls
- Plays on
- iOS, Android, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
- Players
- Varies (spikes during trends)
- Setup
- 6 stops, about 8 minutes
Do these three first
- Give parental permissionCheck your child's account status and choose their permissions.
- Keep chat to Quick ChatOnlineCreate GameChatQuick Chat is the right choice for most kids under 13.
- Play in private gamesOnlineCreate GameHost private lobbies so only friends can join.
Why we say fine with settings
Among Us is a social deduction game where players work together on a spaceship while one or more "Impostors" try to eliminate the crew without being caught. Players discuss and vote to identify the Impostor. It combines teamwork, deception, and detective skills in a cartoonish setting.
- Public Game ChatPublic lobbies include text chat with strangers of all ages. Inappropriate language and content can appear.
- Quick Chat LimitationsThe "Quick Chat" option limits to preset phrases but reduces the social experience.
- Stranger InteractionPublic games include unknown players who may behave inappropriately.
- Mild Cartoon ViolenceImpostors "eliminate" crew members with brief cartoon animations.
- In-App PurchasesCosmetics and Cosmicubes can be bought with Stars, a currency that costs real money. The game is free on phones and $4.99 elsewhere.
Talk about it
- Do you play Among Us with friends or in public games?Tells you who they're playing with.
- What's it like being the Impostor? The crew?Lets them share the part of the game they enjoy.
- Has anyone ever said anything weird in a game?Opens discussion about chat concerns.
The full route: 6 stops, about 8 minutes
- Open Settings
- Turn on Censor Chat
- Keep chat to Quick Chat
- Play in private games
- Give parental permission
- Check your setup
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The complete Among Us parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.
The full guide
Among Us is a popular social deduction game where players work together on a spaceship while trying to find the "Impostor" among them. With a few settings, it's a good fit for older children.
Understanding Among Us
How It Works
- 4–15 players on a spaceship
- Most are "Crewmates" completing tasks
- 1–3 are "Impostors" secretly eliminating crewmates
- Players discuss and vote to eject suspected impostors
- Crewmates win by completing tasks or ejecting all impostors
- Impostors win by eliminating enough crewmates
Safety Considerations
- Online play with strangers (in public lobbies)
- Text chat during discussions
- Deception is the heart of the game
- Mild cartoon violence (no blood or gore)
Account Setup
How Accounts Work
There's no separate sign-up. When your child opens the game, Among Us logs in with the account already on the device or console (Apple ID, Google Play, Steam, Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo). Each platform profile gets one Among Us account.
A colored light at the top left of the main menu shows the account status:
- Green: Fully logged in
- Cyan: Waiting for parent permission
- Purple: Partly logged in, limited to Quick Chat with a random name
- Grey: Not logged in (guest)
Parental Permission for Under-13s
Players under their country's age of digital consent (13 in the US) get a child account. Before Free Chat or a custom name works, a parent has to give permission through Kids Web Services, the consent service Innersloth uses:
- In the game, enter your email when asked and select Send
- Open the email from Kids Web Services and follow the link
- Verify you're an adult with the last four digits of your SSN or a credit card (a 5-cent charge in the US, refunded within 5–10 business days)
- Choose permissions, such as Free Chat and a custom display name, in the Innersloth Parent Portal. You can change them any time.
Until then, your child can still play with Quick Chat and a random name.
Chat Settings
Quick Chat vs. Free Chat
- Quick Chat: Pre-set phrases only, like "I saw [player] vent" or "I was in [location]"
- Free Chat: Players type their own messages
Chat type is chosen per game. When creating a game, the Chat tab sets Free Chat or Quick Chat. When finding a game, filter for Quick Chat Only lobbies.
Quick Chat keeps every message to pre-set phrases, so there's no room for inappropriate text from strangers.
Age-Based Chat Defaults
- Under 13: Quick Chat only, until a parent allows Free Chat in the Parent Portal
- 13+: Can use Free Chat
Censor Chat
Filters inappropriate words in Free Chat. Keep it on.
Online Play Settings
Public vs. Private Games
Public games:
- Join random players
- Anyone can enter
- Contact with strangers
Private games:
- Code required to join
- Only invited players
- The safest online option
Host a Private Game
Create the game, then switch the lobby from Public to Private on the lobby screen. Share the six-letter code only with friends and family. Friends join with Enter Code.
Local Play
Play with people on the same Wi-Fi network, with no internet strangers.
Recommended Ways to Play
Playing with Friends Only
- Host a private game
- Share the code with real-life friends
- Use a video call you set up (FaceTime, a family call) for talking
Playing with Family
- Great for family game nights
- Host a private room
- Everyone in the same house or on a video call
Public Games (With Caution)
If allowing public games:
- Quick Chat Only lobbies
- Censor Chat on
- Talk about what to do if something feels off
- Don't share personal information
In-Game Safety
Display Name
Choose a display name that doesn't reveal:
- Real name
- Age
- Location
- School
Reporting Players
In the lobby or during a meeting, open the chat, select the kick icon, choose the player, then Report and a reason. After a match, you can also report from the Friends List under recent players.
Report players for:
- Inappropriate chat
- Harassment
- Inappropriate names
- Cheating
Kicking Players
Game hosts can kick players from their lobby.
Purchases
Cosmetics
Among Us sells:
- Hats, skins and pets
- Visors and nameplates
- Cosmicubes (themed cosmetic sets)
They're bought with Stars (real money) or Beans (earned by playing). All are cosmetic, with no gameplay advantage.
Preventing Purchases
- Turn on purchase approval on the device (Ask to Buy, Google Family Link or console controls)
- Don't save payment methods on the device
- Among Us is free on iPhone and Android and $4.99 on other platforms; Stars can be bought on every platform
Platform-Specific Setup
Phones and Tablets (iOS/Android)
- Free, with in-app purchases
- Use device purchase approval
- Screen Time or Family Link for time limits
Nintendo Switch
- $4.99
- Nintendo Switch Online is needed for online play
- Use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app
PC (Steam, Epic Games Store)
- $4.99
- Use Steam Families or the Epic parental controls
- Microsoft Family Safety for time limits
PlayStation and Xbox
- Use console parental controls
- Online play may need the console's online subscription
Voice Chat Considerations
Among Us Voice Chat
Among Us has no built-in voice chat; in-game talk is text only. The separate spin-off Among Us 3D (formerly Among Us VR) does have proximity voice chat with other players, so treat it like any voice-chat game.
External Voice Chat
Many players use Discord or other apps for voice. If your child does:
- Only with known friends
- In private servers or calls
- See our Discord guide for its settings
Age-Based Recommendations
We suggest Among Us for 10 and up. If your child already plays younger, these are the settings to tighten for their age.
Ages 9–10
- Quick Chat only
- Private games only
- Play with family or known friends
- Play nearby where you can see
- Explain the deception idea
Ages 11–12
- Quick Chat only
- Mostly private games
- Occasional public games with you nearby
- Censor Chat on
- Talk about online safety
Ages 13+
- Quick Chat preferred
- Public games are okay
- Censor Chat on
- Know how to report and kick
- More independent play
Quick Setup Checklist
Tips for Enjoyment
Learning to Play
- Watch a family-friendly tutorial together
- Practice in Freeplay mode first
- Start as a Crewmate before trying Impostor
Family Game Night
Among Us works well for families:
- Host a private game
- Talk in person or on a video call
- 4–10 players is ideal
- Everyone can join in
Additional Resources
Among Us is set up for safe play. Private games with friends and family are the safest and most fun way to play.