Do children need their own Nintendo Account?

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Do Children Need Their Own Nintendo Account?

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Children do not necessarily need their own Nintendo Account, but having one can provide them with a more personalized and controlled gaming experience, especially when it comes to online gaming and purchasing games from the Nintendo eShop. A Nintendo Account can be created for children by their parents or guardians, allowing them to manage their child’s account settings, parental controls, and online safety.

Understanding Nintendo Accounts for Children

A Nintendo Account is required to access various Nintendo Switch features, including online multiplayer, cloud saves, and the Nintendo eShop. Children under the age of 13 can have a Nintendo Account created for them by their parents or guardians, which can be managed and supervised to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. Do children need an email for a Nintendo Account? General Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users age 13 and older who have an email account. Nintendo Accounts for children can be linked to a Nintendo Network ID only.
  2. Does everyone need their own Nintendo Account? Create user accounts for each person who will play on Nintendo Switch. Choose an icon and a nickname for all users. As a rule, games store save data by user account.
  3. Why do I have to pay for a child’s Nintendo Account? A one-time fee of $0.50 is charged to verify that a parent or guardian has provided consent.

Child Account Management

  1. What happens to a Nintendo child account when they turn 18? A child account can be created for any child under the age of 18. Please note that once a child account is created, it will not turn into a general Nintendo Account even once the user turns 18.
  2. Can a child account play my games on Switch? All user accounts on your primary Nintendo Switch console can play games you’ve purchased with your Nintendo Account.
  3. How do I make my child’s Nintendo Account unsupervised? Log in to an admin or parent/guardian Nintendo Account in the family group. Select Family group. Select the Nintendo Account that you want to stop supervising. Select Lift parental controls restrictions.

Nintendo Account Requirements

  1. Does Nintendo Account age matter? Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users age 13 and older. However, Nintendo Account users age 18 and older can create and add up to five Nintendo Accounts for children (age 17 and under) to their Nintendo Account.
  2. Can you have a Nintendo Account without paying? A Nintendo Account can be created for free (no cost involved). Only users age 16 or older can create their own Nintendo Account.

Online Gaming and Purchases

  1. Can you play online without a Nintendo Account? A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to participate in co-op and competitive online features for many first- and third-party Nintendo Switch games.
  2. Do you need a Nintendo Account to use a gift card? An Internet connection and Nintendo Account are required to access the Nintendo Switch eShop. Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers can only be redeemed using the same Nintendo Account that purchased them.

Family and Child Accounts

  1. Can you have a family Nintendo Account? A Nintendo Account family group allows up to 8 Nintendo Account users to connect together into one group.
  2. How do I create a Nintendo online account for my child? Sign in to your Nintendo Account. Select “Family Group“, then “Add member“, followed by “Create a child account“.
  3. What is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a Switch account? A Nintendo Account is used for Nintendo Switch online services, smart device applications, off-device software purchases, and the My Nintendo loyalty service.

Age and Suitability

  1. What age is Nintendo Switch suitable for? The Nintendo Switch is really for kids 6 and up. Nintendo Switch offers a variety of games for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
  2. Should I get my 7 year old a Nintendo Switch? We recommend that you make sure a game is appropriate for your child prior to playing. Nintendo Switch games depict violence or criminal activity and are not suitable for children.

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