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Navigating Age Restrictions on the PlayStation 4: A Parent’s Guide

Yes, the PlayStation 4 (PS4) absolutely has age restrictions. These restrictions are designed to help parents manage the content their children can access and play, ensuring a safe and age-appropriate gaming experience. Sony provides a robust suite of parental control features to accomplish this, allowing granular control over various aspects of a child’s PS4 usage.

Understanding PS4 Parental Controls

The PS4’s parental controls are accessible through the console’s settings menu. They rely on a combination of age ratings for games, user account management, and customizable restrictions. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:

Account Management: The foundation of PS4 parental controls is family management. An adult account (the family manager) must be created first. Then, child accounts are linked to the family manager’s account. This link allows the adult to set restrictions for each child’s account individually. Crucially, PlayStation Network (PSN) requires users to be at least 7 years old, and those between 7 and 17 need parental consent.
Age Ratings: Games are assigned age ratings by organizations like the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) in North America and the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) in Europe. These ratings indicate the game’s content suitability for different age groups (e.g., E for Everyone, T for Teen, M for Mature). The PS4 leverages these ratings to allow parents to block games that are deemed inappropriate for their child’s age.
Customizable Restrictions: Parents can customize a wide range of restrictions, including:
- Game restrictions: Blocking games based on their age rating.
- PlayStation VR Restrictions: Blocking PlayStation®VR and PlayStation®VR2 usage which are not for use by children under 12 years
- Chat restrictions: Limiting or disabling voice and text chat with other players.
- Internet browser access: Blocking or limiting access to the internet browser.
- Spending limits: Controlling how much money a child can spend on the PlayStation Store.
- Play time limits: Setting daily or weekly time limits for gaming.
- Content filtering: Blocking access to certain types of content, such as explicit videos or music.

Setting Up Parental Controls

To set up parental controls on your PS4, follow these steps:

Create a Family Account: Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management on your PS4 console. You may need to re-enter your account password.
Add Family Members: Add your child’s account as a family member. If they don’t have an account, you can create one for them.
Customize Restrictions: Select the child account you want to set restrictions for and then select the feature you want to adjust. Options include Age Level for Games, Spending Limits, Play Time Settings, and more.
Set a Passcode: Create a parental control passcode. This passcode is required to change any of the settings, so keep it secure.

The Importance of Open Communication

While parental controls are a powerful tool, they’re most effective when combined with open communication. Talk to your children about the games they play, the content they consume online, and the potential risks of online interactions. Explain why you’re setting certain restrictions and encourage them to come to you with any concerns they may have. This fosters trust and helps them develop responsible gaming habits. You may find helpful resources on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, exploring how games can positively impact learning and development. In addition, you might also find some articles on GamesLearningSociety.org that discuss the importance of balanced screen time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about age restrictions and parental controls on the PS4:

1. What is the youngest age for a PS4 account?

The PlayStation Network (PSN) requires users to be at least 7 years old. Children between 7 and 17 need parental consent to create an account.

2. How do I change my child’s age on their PS4 account?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly change the age on a child’s PSN account. If the age was entered incorrectly during account creation, you may need to contact PlayStation Support for assistance.

3. Can a 12-year-old play PS4 games?

Yes, a 12-year-old can play PS4 games, but it’s important to check the age ratings of the games and set appropriate parental controls. Games rated for Teen (T) or Everyone 10+ (E10+) are generally suitable.

4. What is Level 9 parental control on PS4?

Level 9 is the least restrictive age level for games setting on the PS4, allowing access to games rated 18+ (Mature).

5. How do I unlock age restrictions on PS4?

To unlock age restrictions, you need to:

Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > PS4 System Restrictions.
Enter your parental control passcode.
Select Turn Off Parental Controls.

6. How do I put age restrictions on PS5 (since it’s similar to PS4)?

The process is similar to the PS4:

Go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls.
Select the child account.
Choose Age Level for Games and Apps and set the desired restriction level.

7. Why can’t my child use my PlayStation Plus?

Child accounts can only access PlayStation Plus content that is age-appropriate based on the parental controls set by the family manager.

8. How do I stop being a child account on PS4?

You cannot directly remove a child account from a family. Once the child account reaches adulthood (as defined by the PSN region), they can upgrade their account to an adult account.

9. How do I upgrade a child account to an adult account on PS4?

Sign in to Account Management.
Select Upgrade Your Account.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

10. What is the recommended screen time for an 11-year-old on PS4?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 60 minutes on school days and 2 hours on non-school days for children over 6. It’s best to create a family media plan that considers your child’s individual needs and activities.

11. Is Fortnite OK for a 10-year-old on PS4?

Fortnite is rated T for Teen (13+). Consider your child’s maturity level and the game’s content before allowing them to play. Monitor their gameplay and online interactions.

12. How long should a 13-year-old play video games per day?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours per day of screen-based entertainment for teenagers.

13. Is PS4 good for a 10-year-old?

Yes, the PS4 has many games suitable for 10-year-olds. Use parental controls to ensure they are playing age-appropriate content.

14. How do view requests to allow specific games?

To view requests: On your PS4™ console, go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management. Select the child account. View requests to allow specific games and a list of games that already have been allowed. You can also allow games based on the request from here.

15. What is the best game system for kids?

The Nintendo Switch is often considered a top choice for families with young kids due to its focus on family-friendly games and portability. The Microsoft Xbox Series S and Sony PlayStation 4 are also excellent options, offering a broader range of games suitable for tweens and families.

By understanding the age restrictions and utilizing the parental control features available on the PS4, you can create a safe and enjoyable gaming environment for your children. Remember that open communication and ongoing monitoring are key to ensuring their well-being.

Does PS4 have age restrictions?