Can I Give My Steam Account to My Kid? A Parent’s Guide to Steam & Family

The short answer is: no, you cannot give your Steam account to your child. According to the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA), Steam account ownership is non-transferable. Buying, selling, trading, or gifting a Steam account is a violation of the SSA. However, this doesn’t mean your child can’t enjoy the world of PC gaming through Steam. There are safer, more appropriate, and permitted ways for them to access and enjoy games. This article dives deep into those options and addresses all your concerns about kids and Steam.

Understanding Steam’s Stance on Account Sharing

Valve, the company behind Steam, takes its Subscriber Agreement seriously. The prohibition against transferring ownership is in place for a few key reasons:

• Security: Preventing account sales and transfers helps reduce the risk of fraud and compromised accounts.
• Accountability: Linking accounts to individuals provides a layer of accountability for actions taken on the platform.
• Copyright & Licensing: Game licenses are typically tied to the account holder, preventing widespread unauthorized sharing or resale.

Violating the SSA can lead to account suspension or permanent bans. It’s simply not worth the risk. Thankfully, Valve has provided mechanisms designed precisely to address the needs of families.

Exploring Family Sharing Options: The Right Way to Game Together

Instead of violating the SSA, Steam offers two excellent features for families: Family View and Family Library Sharing.

Family View: Creating a Safe Space

Family View allows you to restrict access to certain games and features within your own Steam account. This is ideal if you want to let your child use your account under strict supervision. Here’s how it works:

1. Enable Family View: Go to Steam > Settings > Family (or in Big Picture mode, Settings > Family Library Sharing).
2. Choose Restrictions: Select the features you want to restrict, such as the Steam Store, Community features, friend lists, and specific games.
3. Set a PIN: Create a four-digit PIN that your child needs to enter to exit Family View.

With Family View enabled, your child can only access the games and features you’ve specifically allowed. This gives you peace of mind knowing they’re protected from inappropriate content or unwanted interactions.

Family Library Sharing: Sharing the Game Love

Family Library Sharing lets you authorize up to five other accounts (and on up to 10 devices in a 90 day period, including accounts/devices where you have cancelled sharing) to access your game library. This means your child can play games you own on their own Steam account. Here’s the catch:

• They Need Their Own Account: This is crucial. Your child needs to create their own Steam account (more on age restrictions below).
• Steam Guard Must Be Enabled: You need to have Steam Guard security enabled on your account.
• Authorization Required: You need to authorize the specific computers and users you want to share with.
• Only One User at a Time: If you’re playing a game in your library, your child won’t be able to access any games from your library simultaneously. They’ll have a few minutes to either quit their game or purchase it themselves.
• Some Games Can’t Be Shared: Not all games support Family Library Sharing. This is usually due to technical reasons or publisher restrictions. The shared account must also own the base game.

The benefits of Family Library Sharing are significant:

• Separate Saves and Achievements: Each player gets their own progress and achievements.
• Individual Customization: Each player can tailor their game settings to their preferences.
• No Account Ownership Transfer: You retain ownership of your account and your games.
• Opportunity for the Child to Learn Account Responsibility: They are in control of their own account, even if it is a restricted version.

Age Restrictions: Is Steam Right for Your Child?

Steam’s official stance is that the platform is not intended for children under 13. Valve states that they do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Additional age restrictions may also apply in your country.

This recommendation is due to the diverse content available on Steam, including games with mature themes, violence, and adult content. It’s crucial for parents to consider their child’s maturity level and the potential risks before allowing them to use Steam.

Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) advocates for responsible game usage and the educational potential of games. Understanding how to navigate platforms like Steam safely and responsibly is key for parents.

Practical Steps for Parents

1. Create an Account with Your Child (If Appropriate): If you decide your child is ready for Steam, create their account with them. This gives you an opportunity to discuss online safety, responsible gaming habits, and the importance of respecting community guidelines.
2. Utilize Family View or Family Library Sharing: Choose the option that best suits your family’s needs and your child’s age and maturity.
3. Review Game Ratings and Content: Before allowing your child to play a game, research its rating and content. Common rating systems include ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) and PEGI (Pan European Game Information).
4. Monitor Activity: Regularly check your child’s Steam activity, including the games they’re playing, the people they’re interacting with, and the content they’re creating.
5. Have Open Communication: Talk to your child about their experiences on Steam. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or questions they may have.
6. Set Time Limits: Establish clear time limits for gaming to prevent excessive screen time and promote a healthy balance.
7. Educate About Online Safety: Teach your child about online safety practices, such as not sharing personal information with strangers, being wary of suspicious links or downloads, and reporting inappropriate behavior.
8. Consider Third-Party Parental Control Software: Several third-party parental control apps offer advanced features for monitoring and restricting Steam usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Steam and children, addressing common concerns and providing practical advice:

1. Can my son use my Steam account even though the SSA says I can’t “give” it to him?

Technically, no. Giving implies transferring ownership, which violates the SSA. However, Family View allows him to use your account under your supervision and with restricted access. Family Library Sharing lets him use his own account to play games from your library.

2. What is the minimum age for a Steam account?

Steam’s official recommendation is 13 years old. Valve does not knowingly collect data from children under that age.

3. How can I prevent my child from accessing inappropriate games on Steam?

Use Family View to restrict access to specific games. Also, review game ratings and content before allowing your child to play. You can also go to your account preferences in the upper right and block content from the Steam store and community.

4. Is Steam safe for a 10-year-old?

It depends on the child’s maturity and your level of supervision. Steam contains diverse content, some of which may be inappropriate for younger children. Use Family View and actively monitor their activity if you allow a 10-year-old to use Steam.

5. Can I play two games on Steam at the same time if one person is on one computer and the other is on a separate computer?

Not with the same account. Each Steam account can only run one game at a time. Family Library Sharing is the solution, allowing each person to play on their own account.

6. Can I use my Steam account on multiple computers?

Yes, you can download and install games on multiple computers. However, you can only be logged in and playing a game on one computer at a time (unless using Family Sharing with separate accounts).

7. Does Steam have an age verification system?

Steam requires users to enter their date of birth upon signing up. However, this system is not foolproof and relies on the honesty of the user. Therefore, active parental supervision is vital.

8. How does Steam gifting work?

You can purchase a game as a gift and send it to a friend on your Steam friends list. The recipient receives an email with instructions to redeem the game.

9. What’s the difference between a Steam gift and a Steam key?

A Steam gift is sent directly to another user’s account. A Steam key is a code that can be redeemed on any Steam account.

10. Can I trade games on Steam?

Some games and in-game items can be traded with other users. Check the item details in your inventory to see if it’s tradable.

11. How long do I have to be friends with someone on Steam before I can gift them a game?

You must be friends with someone for at least 3 days before you can send them a digital gift card.

12. How do I enable Family Sharing on Steam?

Go to Steam > Settings > Family and enable the sharing feature. You’ll also need to authorize specific computers and users to share. Be sure you have Steam Guard security enabled via Steam > Settings > Account.

13. Can I play Steam games offline?

Yes, Offline Mode allows you to play games without an internet connection. You must enable Offline Mode while connected to the internet and with the “Remember my password” box checked.

14. Why do I have to spend $5 on Steam to access certain features?

This is a security measure to prevent malicious users from creating dummy accounts and spamming or scamming other users.

15. Can I play Steam games on my phone?

Yes, you can use the Steam Link app to stream games from your computer to your mobile device. You need a local network or internet connection. You can even join games hosted on a friend’s PC using Remote Play Together.

Conclusion: Responsible Gaming for the Next Generation

While you can’t simply “give” your Steam account to your child, Steam offers viable and safe alternatives like Family View and Family Library Sharing. By understanding these features, adhering to age restrictions, and actively monitoring your child’s activity, you can help them enjoy the world of PC gaming responsibly. This creates opportunities for educational experiences and creativity, consistent with the mission of organizations like the Games Learning Society. Always prioritize open communication and educate your child about online safety.