Parental controls on PS5, Xbox and Switch 2: a ten-minute setup guide

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The four settings that matter

Whatever the console, you're aiming to set:

1. Age-rating limit — which games and apps the child can open (based on ESRB ratings; see ratings explained).
2. Spending — whether the child can buy games and in-game items, and how much.
3. Play time — daily limits or schedules.
4. Communication — who the child can chat with, by text and voice, and whether they can play online with strangers.

A fifth worth considering is web browsing, which you can restrict or turn off on all three.

Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo's controls work best through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone.

1. Install the app and sign in with your Nintendo Account.
2. On the console, go to System Settings → Parental Controls and link it to the app using the code shown.
3. In the app, choose a restriction level (Young Child, Child, Teen) or set custom limits.
4. Set a daily play-time limit. You can choose to show a warning when time is up, or to suspend the game.
5. Under the Nintendo Account settings (on Nintendo's website), set spending restrictions for the eShop and turn on approval for friend requests if needed.

Nintendo Accounts for children under 13 are managed through a Family Group, which is also how you share a Nintendo Switch Online family membership.

PlayStation 5

Sony's controls are tied to child accounts in a family group.

1. Sign in to your own PlayStation account on the console or on Sony's website and go to Family Management.
2. Add a family member as a child; this creates a child account.
3. Set age-level restrictions for games, apps and video.
4. Set a monthly spending limit (zero if you don't want any purchases).
5. Restrict communication and user-generated content — you can block chat with everyone, or allow it only with approved friends.
6. Set play time limits by day, with a notification or automatic log-off when time is up.

The PlayStation Family app lets you change these and approve requests from your phone.

Xbox Series X|S

Microsoft's controls are part of your Microsoft family group, managed with the Xbox Family Settings app.

1. Install Xbox Family Settings and sign in with your Microsoft account.
2. Add the child (or create a child account).
3. Set content restrictions by age.
4. Set screen time schedules — these can also cover Windows PCs in the same family group.
5. Under spending, require approval for purchases, or add a set amount of money to the child's account.
6. Under privacy and online safety, control who can communicate with the child and whether they can join multiplayer games.

Tips from real households

• Set it up before the gift is opened. It is much harder to add limits after a child has had a week without them.
• Explain the rules rather than relying on settings alone. Children are good at finding workarounds; agreements work better than surprises.
• Use gift cards for spending. A fixed-value gift card is a natural spending limit.
• Review settings every birthday. What suits a nine-year-old won't suit a thirteen-year-old.
• Turn off auto-renewing subscriptions on the child's account unless you've chosen them deliberately.

Nintendo eShop gift cards · PlayStation Store gift cards · Xbox gift cards

Facts, prices and policies in this article were checked in November 2026. Prices, bundles and store rules change often — always confirm on the product page before you buy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.