How to Delete Your Child’s Nintendo Account: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to delete your child’s Nintendo Account? Perhaps they’ve outgrown it, moved on to other gaming platforms, or you simply want to consolidate accounts. Whatever the reason, here’s a clear and comprehensive guide to help you through the process.

Deleting a child’s Nintendo Account is done through the parent or guardian’s Nintendo Account. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Log in to your (the parent/guardian’s) Nintendo Account on a web browser.
2. Navigate to the Family Group section.
3. Select the child’s account you wish to delete.
4. Click on Other Settings. This may be labelled slightly differently depending on the exact interface layout.
5. Locate and click on the option to Delete child account.
6. You will likely be asked to confirm your decision and may need to enter your password again.
7. Carefully review the information about what will be lost before proceeding.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the deletion process.

Important Considerations Before Deleting:

• Data Loss: Deleting a Nintendo Account means losing access to any digital games, save data, and My Nintendo points associated with that account. Ensure your child understands this and that any cherished game progress is not inadvertently lost.
• Reactivation Window: Nintendo often provides a 30-day window to reactivate a deleted account. If you change your mind, you can log back in within this period to restore the account.
• Alternative Solutions: Before deleting, consider other options like removing the child account from your family group or lifting parental controls restrictions. These actions might achieve your goals without the finality of deletion.

Understanding Nintendo Accounts: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into the FAQs, it’s helpful to understand the different types of Nintendo Accounts. There are standard Nintendo Accounts (typically for users 13 and older) and child accounts (for users under 18, managed by a parent or guardian). This distinction affects how these accounts are managed and deleted. If you are interested in learning more about gaming and learning you can visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and address common concerns about deleting or managing child Nintendo Accounts:

1. Can I change a Nintendo child account to a regular account?

Yes, in a way. When a child turns 13, they gain more control over their account. They can change their Nintendo Account email address to their own, with parental consent. Once they reach 18, the account becomes a standard Nintendo Account, and parental controls are typically lifted.

2. How do I remove a Nintendo Account from a Switch without the console?

You can’t directly remove a Nintendo Account from a Switch system without having access to the console. However, you can deregister the console as the primary console associated with your account. This can be done online via the Nintendo Account website. Go to your profile, then Shop Menu, and click Deregister Primary Console. This won’t remove the account from the Switch, but it will prevent others from accessing your digital games on that specific system.

3. Is there a way to unlink a Nintendo Account entirely?

You cannot completely unlink a Nintendo Account that is currently linked to a Nintendo Network ID or other services.

4. How do I delete parental controls on my Nintendo Switch?

Deleting parental controls requires you to access the System Settings on the Nintendo Switch. Navigate to the Parental Controls section, and follow the instructions to either change the settings or disable them entirely. You will likely need to enter the PIN you set when initially enabling parental controls.

5. How do I delete a secondary account from a Switch?

To delete a secondary user profile on the Nintendo Switch: Go to System Settings from the HOME Menu, then select Users. Select the account you wish to delete, then scroll to the bottom and select Delete User. You may need to enter your Parental Control PIN to proceed. Remember, this only deletes the user profile on the console, not the actual Nintendo Account.

6. What happens to a Nintendo child account when they turn 13?

As mentioned earlier, when a child turns 13, they gain the ability to manage their own email address associated with the account, with parental consent. They will need to log into their Nintendo account on a web browser and update their account information. This is a step towards greater independence for the user.

7. What is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a child account?

Nintendo Accounts for children are created for users aged 0-17 and are managed by a parent or guardian. General Nintendo Accounts are created by users aged 13 and older and require an email address. Child accounts can be linked to a Nintendo Network ID.

8. Do each of my kids need their own Nintendo Account?

It’s highly recommended that each child has their own Nintendo Account. This allows for individual progress tracking, personalized game experiences, and independent earning and redeeming of My Nintendo points. Parents can easily manage these accounts within a family group.

9. How do I change my supervised account to a normal account?

The process of moving from a supervised account to a “normal” account is essentially allowing the child to manage their own account once they reach the appropriate age. This involves updating the account information and removing parental controls, as described earlier. In the Family Link app, select the child’s account, tap Controls, Account Settings, Account Info, and then Stop supervision.

10. Can I link my child’s Nintendo Account to mine?

Yes, you can link a child’s Nintendo Account to yours within a family group. This allows you to manage their account settings, monitor their activity, and set spending limits.

11. What is the point of a Nintendo family account?

A Nintendo Account family group allows up to 8 Nintendo Account users to connect together. This simplifies management, allows for shared access to certain benefits (like the Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership), and facilitates parental controls.

12. What happens if I delete a child account on Nintendo?

Deleting a child account results in the loss of all associated data, including digital games, save data, and My Nintendo points. As the parent account can also be deleted and has a 30-day reactivation period. Consider all implications before proceeding.

13. Can a Nintendo child account make purchases?

The parent/guardian account can restrict Nintendo eShop purchases on the child’s Nintendo Account. You can also add specific amounts to the child’s Nintendo eShop balance using a credit card or prepaid card, limiting their spending.

14. How many child accounts can you have on a Nintendo Switch family group?

A parent or guardian’s Nintendo Account can manage up to seven child accounts within a family group.

15. Does deleting a user on Switch delete the Nintendo Account?

No, deleting a user on the Nintendo Switch only removes the profile and associated save data from that specific console. The actual Nintendo Account remains active and can be used on other systems. The GamesLearningSociety.org website provides additional insight into the educational benefits of games.

By following these steps and understanding the implications, you can confidently manage or delete your child’s Nintendo Account as needed. Remember to always prioritize clear communication and ensure your child understands the potential consequences of account deletion.