How to Set Parental Controls on a PS5

If the limited stock is any indication, everyone is excited about the PlayStation 5, including children who you might not want accessing every feature on Sony’s latest console. Thankfully, like most modern devices, the PS5 features built-in parental controls to help parents limit and protect their children from content or functions they don’t want them exposed to. If you’re not as familiar with how to navigate the PS5, however, it can be a little tricky to enable these protections. Here, we break down what parental controls are available and how to set them up on your new machine.

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How to set parental controls on a PS5
What parental controls are available on PS5

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How to set parental controls on a PS5

For anyone who’s upgrading from a PS4 to PS5 and has already gone through the process of setting up parental controls on the former, the process couldn’t be simpler. As long as you carry those profiles over to the PS5, then those same settings will carry over as well. Simply sign in with your existing PlayStation Network account and you’re all set. If you need to set up new parental controls or adjust them, however, follow the steps below.

PS5 Console Restrictions Menu — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 1: Create a PSN account

Whether you plan to play on the console or not, you will need your own account set up to manage the settings and act as the parent account for whoever you need to set parental controls for. Thankfully, you will be prompted to sign in or create an account with your email address upon booting the console.

Step 2: Create a child account

This is the account your child, or whoever you are setting these controls for, will be playing on. If you want, you can allow them to create the account using their own username and such, but keep in mind that whatever name they pick will show up online if you allow them to do so.

To create this account, press the PS button on your controller and select Switch User within the control center, which will allow you to add a new user. The account will automatically be dubbed a child account when you enter the age and link it to your first account.

Step 3: Go back to the parent account

Once you’ve set up the account for your child, switch back to your account and access the Settings menu located in the upper-right corner of the home screen. From here, select Family and Parental Controls and set your specific restrictions.

What parental controls are available on PS5

There are a bunch of ways you can customize your parental controls on your PS5, but if you don’t want to go through each option individually, the system features three built-in presets. These settings are split up into Late Teens or Older, Early Teens, and Child.

The Late Teens setting allows the player to start any game or app as long as it has the same (or lower) age rating as them, any Blu-ray that is rated 16 or younger, and any DVD. It also places no restrictions on using the browser or online communications, and they will not be able to make purchases.

Selecting Early Teens enables a similar set of restrictions. The difference is that your child can only play Blu-rays rated 13 and younger, and there are restrictions on both browsing and communication. There’s also an age filter for online content.

Lastly, Child accounts have all the prior restrictions scaled to their age. This means that your kid can only play games with appropriate age ratings and watch Blu-rays limited to age ratings of 7 or younger. Moreover, there are restrictions on all online interactions and content.

PS5 Parental Controls Menu — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The full list of controls is much more robust and can be individualized for your specific needs. Here’s a quick rundown of every setting available.

Age ratings for games, Blu-ray, and DVDs

This allows you to block games and discs from playing if they are rated above the age associated with your child’s account. If your child tries to play a game blocked based on age restrictions, they have the option to request access. You can then make an exception for that specific game or not.

Playtime restrictions

You set limits on not only how long your child plays on the console, but also what times they are able to play. You can, for instance, not allow your child to play games during certain hours or days, such as when they’re supposed to be in school.

Restrict online communication

Here, you can decide whether you want your child’s account to be able to send messages or engage in voice or video chat with other players online. If enabled, this will apply to in-game features as well; however, your child can request access for specific games if you find them appropriate.

Set spending limits

If you want to allow your child to make purchases in the online store, which will draw funds from your primary account, you can decide how much money they can spend per month. This can be as low as $0, however, blocking them from making any digital purchases.

Restrict the use of the internet browser

The PS5 comes with an internet browser that functions almost identically to the one you’d find on a computer. Thankfully, you can restrict browser access, preventing your child from potentially accessing any content you deem unsavory.