PlayStation

Our age is 13, with controls. Caution because of voice chat in online games and a large M-rated library.

Checked October 2026.

PlayStation at a glance

Our agewith controls

13+

Our rating: Use Caution
Controls: PlayStation Family Management
Made by: Sony
Setup: 10 stops, about 20 minutes

Do these three first

Add your childSettingsFamily and Parental ControlsFamily ManagementAdd Family MemberCreate a child account in your family.
Restrict chat and shared contentFamily ManagementYour childParental ControlsCommunication and User-Generated ContentTurn off voice chat and messages, then set privacy settings.
Set playtime limitsFamily ManagementYour childPlaytime SettingsLog Out is easier for younger kids; Notify Only works for teens learning to stop on their own.

About PlayStation

What is PlayStation?

PlayStation 5 (PS5) is Sony's latest gaming console, known for high-quality exclusive games, impressive graphics, and a large game library. It includes robust parental controls through PlayStation Family Management, though its extensive mature game library makes it better suited for teenagers rather than younger children.

Pros for Child/Teen Use

High-Quality Exclusive Games

Games like Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank, and Horizon.

Robust Parental Controls

PlayStation Family Management provides comprehensive oversight.

PlayStation Network

Established online ecosystem with safety features.

VR Capability

PlayStation VR available for age-appropriate experiences.

Cons for Child/Teen Use

Many Mature Games

Large library of M-rated games with violence and adult content.

Voice Chat with Strangers

Online multiplayer enables communication with unknown players.

Web Browser Access

A built-in browser can reach websites through links unless Web Browsing is restricted.

PlayStation Store

Easy access to all content ratings in the store.

Key Safety Features

PlayStation Family Management

Comprehensive parental control system.

Create child accounts, set age restrictions, limit play time, and control communication - from the console, the web, or the PlayStation Family app (launched September 2025).

Spending Controls

Manage PlayStation Store purchases.

Set a monthly spending limit (default $0); any purchase on a child account is paid from the Family Manager's wallet.

Age Recommendations

Ages 10-12: Only with strict parental controls, E/E10+ games only, no online multiplayer.

Ages 13-15: Appropriate with controls, games up to Teen (T) rating, monitored online play.

Ages 16+: Broader access with ongoing communication about mature content.

The complete guide includes:

PlayStation Family Management setup
Content restriction levels explained
Communication and voice chat controls
Spending limit configuration
Age-specific configurations

Talk about it

Who do you talk to when you play online?Voice chat can include strangers, and asking early makes it normal to tell you about it.
What would you do if someone in a game says something mean or asks for personal info?Practices the plan: mute, block, report, and come tell you.
How should we handle spending on the PlayStation Store?Agreeing on a monthly amount fits the spending limit you set in Family Management.
Why do you think some games are rated M?Talking about ratings helps them understand the content limits instead of just running into them.

The full route: 10 stops, about 20 minutes

Open Family Management
Add your child
Choose a restriction level
Set playtime limits
Restrict chat and shared content
Set a monthly spending limit
Restrict web browsing
Lock the console settings
Set up the PlayStation Family appoptional
Test your settings

Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.

The complete PlayStation parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.

The full guide

PlayStation consoles are popular with tweens and teens, with online multiplayer, streaming apps and a large game library. Sony's parental controls live in Family Management, which you can reach from the console, the web or the PlayStation Family app.

Understanding PlayStation Family Management

Controls work through a family on your PlayStation Network account:

Family Manager: the adult who creates the family (you)
Parents/Guardians: other adults you appoint, who can also manage children's settings
Children: child accounts with parental controls

Settings belong to your child's account, so they follow your child to any PS5 or PS4 they sign in to.

Get the PlayStation Family App

Sony's free PlayStation Family app (iOS and Android, launched September 2025) is the easiest way to manage controls from your phone. You can set playtime per day, answer requests for more time or a restricted game, add funds and set a spending limit, and see daily and weekly activity.

Setting Up Family Management

Create Your Account

If you don't have a PlayStation Network account, create one at playstation.com or during console setup.

Add Your Child

Open Family Management

On PS5:

SettingsFamily and Parental ControlsFamily Management

On PS4:

SettingsParental Controls/Family ManagementFamily Management

Or sign in to Account Management at playstation.com and choose Family Management, or use the PlayStation Family app.

Add a Child

Select Add Family Member and follow the steps to create a child account. You'll enter your child's real date of birth, which sets the starting restrictions, and create their sign-in details.

Set Parental Controls

After the account is created, choose a restriction level and review each setting below.

Age Ratings and Game Restrictions

Restriction Levels

Family ManagementYour childParental ControlsRestriction Level

Pick a preset or customize:

Setting	Child	Early Teens	Late Teens or Older
PS5 games and apps	Rated for your child's age or lower	Same	Same
PS4 games	Up to age 6 to 7	Up to age 12 to 13	Up to age 15
PS VR / PS VR2	Restricted	Allowed	Allowed
Web browsing	Restricted	Restricted	Allowed
Communication and user-generated content	Restricted	Restricted	Restricted
Monthly spending limit	0	0	0

Changing any single setting switches the level to Customize. Ratings follow the ESRB in the US.

Restricted Games

A game above the age level, including on a disc, won't start. Your child can send a request, and you approve it from the PlayStation Family app, the web or the notification on a PS5 (it's then listed under Allowed Games).

Communication and Online Features

Family ManagementYour childParental ControlsCommunication and User-Generated Content

Set this to Restrict or Don't Restrict. When restricted:

Voice chat and text messages are off (preset in-game messages still work)
Your child can't share screenshots, video clips or broadcasts, or see other players' shared content and profile text
Some third-party chat services can't be linked

Your child can ask for an exception for a specific game, which you approve or decline.

Recommended Setting

For children under 13, keep this on Restrict and approve exceptions only for games you know.

Privacy Settings

Family ManagementYour childPrivacy Settings

Choose who can send friend requests, who can message or invite your child, and who can see their online status, real name, friends list and game activity. You also decide which of these your child can change, and you're notified if they change one.

Playtime Controls

Setting Time Limits

Family ManagementYour childPlaytime Settings

Set the Time Zone first, then:

Restrict Playtime: Restrict
Playtime Duration: how long per day
Playable Hours: the window when play is allowed (for example 3 PM to 9 PM)

Both can be the same every day or different for specific days of the week.

When Playtime Ends

Notify Only: a reminder appears and play can continue
Log Out: your child is signed out when time is up

Tip

Log Out works well for younger children. Notify Only suits teens who are learning to stop on their own.

More Time

When the reminder appears on a PS5, your child can select Ask for More Playtime. You get a notification and can add time or decline. You can also use Change Playtime for Today in the PlayStation Family app or on a PS5.

Spending Limits

Family ManagementYour childParental ControlsMonthly Spending Limit

A child's purchases are paid from the Family Manager's wallet, up to the monthly limit you set. The limit starts at 0, so nothing can be bought until you change it.

Recommended: $0 for Younger Kids

Keep the limit at $0 for younger children and buy games yourself. Any appointed parent or guardian can change the limit, so agree on it together.

You can add funds and view balances in the PlayStation Family app.

Web Browser

PS5 and PS4 include a web browser that can be reached through links. To block it:

Family ManagementYour childParental ControlsWeb Browsing

Set it to Restrict. On PS4 the setting is called Use of Internet Browser.

Console Restrictions

These settings protect the console itself:

PS5

SettingsFamily and Parental ControlsPS5 Console Restrictions

Select Change Your Console Restriction Passcode and replace the default (0000) with a new four-digit code
Set User Creation and Guest Login to Not Allowed so your child can't make a new, unrestricted user

Also set a login passcode on each adult account, so your child can't play on yours.

PS4

SettingsParental Controls/Family ManagementPS4 System Restrictions

If you forget the console restriction passcode, the console has to be reset, so store it somewhere safe.

Streaming Apps

Apps like YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ have their own controls:

YouTube

Turn on Restricted Mode in the YouTube app's settings, or have your child sign in with a supervised Google account.

Netflix

Create a Kids profile, set its maturity rating and lock the other profiles with a PIN.

Remote Play

Remote Play streams PS5 or PS4 games to a phone or PC. The child's account settings still apply. To turn it off:

SettingsSystemRemote Play

PlayStation VR2

Sony says PS VR2 isn't for children under 12. Restrict it in Parental Controls for younger kids.

Activity

The PlayStation Family app shows daily and weekly activity, including which games were played and for how long, and can notify you when your child starts a game.

Common Issues

Child Can't Play a Game

Check the game's rating against the age level
Approve it under Allowed Games if you're comfortable with it

Time Limits Not Working

Check that Restrict Playtime is on
Check the time zone
Make sure your child is signed in to their own account, and that your account has a login passcode

Can't Play Online

Check the Communication and User-Generated Content setting
Most paid games need a PlayStation Plus membership for online multiplayer; free-to-play games don't

Age-Based Recommendations

We suggest PlayStation from 13, with family controls on. If your child already plays younger, these are the settings to tighten for their age.