Gaming for Families

Parental controls, ratings, screen time and shared consoles.

ESRB ratings explained: what E, E10+, T and M actually mean for parents
Gaming for Families

ESRB ratings explained: what E, E10+, T and M actually mean for parents

A parent's guide to the ESRB rating on every US game box — the age categories, the content descriptors underneath, and the 'interactive elements' line most people miss.

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

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

How to set age limits, spending limits, play-time limits and chat controls on each console — ideally before the gift is unwrapped.

Choosing a first console for a child: an age-by-age guide for parents and grandparents
Gaming for Families

Choosing a first console for a child: an age-by-age guide for parents and grandparents

What to buy for a five-year-old, an eight-year-old or a tween — console, first games, accessories and the setup that makes the first week go smoothly.