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Navigating Nintendo Accounts: Child Accounts, Costs, and Family Groups

Do you have to pay to add a child to a Nintendo Account? No, it is generally free to add a child to a Nintendo Account. However, this process has some intricacies, age restrictions, and benefits that every parent or guardian should understand before diving into the world of Nintendo gaming with their children. This article will break down the process of creating and managing child accounts within the Nintendo ecosystem, ensuring you have all the information you need to make informed decisions.

Understanding the Nintendo Account Ecosystem

Before delving into the specifics of child accounts, it’s essential to grasp the broader concept of a Nintendo Account. Think of it as your digital key to Nintendo’s online services, games, and features. These accounts allow you to purchase digital games, earn My Nintendo points, access online multiplayer functionality with Nintendo Switch Online, and manage your game saves.

Who Needs a Nintendo Account?

Generally, anyone using a Nintendo Switch console or engaging with Nintendo’s online services benefits from having a Nintendo Account. This applies to both adults and children. However, the creation and management of these accounts differ slightly depending on the user’s age.

Creating and Managing Child Accounts

Nintendo recognizes the need for parental control and oversight when it comes to children’s online activity. Therefore, their system allows parents or guardians to create and manage accounts for children under a certain age.

The Age Factor

A Nintendo Account can only be created by users age 13 and older. For children 12 and under, a parent or guardian (aged 18 or older) must create a child account and add it to their own Nintendo Account family group. 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.

The Family Group

A Nintendo Account family group allows up to eight Nintendo Account users to connect. This provides centralized management, especially for younger users. The parent or guardian acts as the admin of the family group, responsible for adding or removing members and setting restrictions.

The Benefits of a Child Account

Having a separate child account offers several advantages:

Individual Progress: Each child can earn and redeem My Nintendo points on their own account, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
Parental Control: The admin can set restrictions on purchases, communication, and game content.
Game Save Data: Games store save data by user account, preventing conflicts and ensuring each player has their own progress.

Costs Associated with Nintendo Accounts and Services

While creating a Nintendo Account is free, there are costs associated with certain services.

Free Account Basics

Creating a basic Nintendo Account for yourself or a child is free. This allows you to access certain features and services, but not all.

Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that provides access to online multiplayer gaming, a library of classic NES and Super NES games, cloud saves, and other features.

Individual Membership: Allows one user to access Nintendo Switch Online.
Family Membership: Grants access to Nintendo Switch Online for up to eight Nintendo Account users within a family group. This is often the most cost-effective option for families.

Game Purchases

Digital games and downloadable content are purchased through the Nintendo eShop. These purchases are tied to the Nintendo Account used to make them.

The Myth of the $0.50 Charge

Some older sources might mention a one-time charge of $0.50 for the first Nintendo Account for a child. This is outdated information. Currently, there is no charge for creating or adding a child account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I add my daughter to my Nintendo account?

Yes, you can add your daughter to your Nintendo Account family group. As the admin (aged 18 or older), you can create an account for her if she is under 13, or invite her existing Nintendo Account to the family group if she is 13 or older.

2. Can a Nintendo child account play my games?

Yes, users on the same system can play digital games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console. Physical game cartridges can be played by anyone on the console.

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

The child account won’t automatically turn into a regular Nintendo Account when the child turns 13. It remains a supervised account. It’s important to note that once a child account is created, it will not turn into a general Nintendo Account even once the user turns 18.

4. How does Nintendo child account work?

Nintendo Accounts for children are linked to a Nintendo Network ID only. All Nintendo Accounts created for children aged 12 and under are automatically set up as a supervised account in the Nintendo Account family group.

5. Can a 12-year-old have a Nintendo Account?

Officially, no. Nintendo Accounts can only be created directly by users aged 13 and older. However, a parent or guardian (aged 18 or older) can create a child account for a 12-year-old and manage it within their family group.

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

A Nintendo Account family group allows up to eight Nintendo Account users to connect together into one group, providing centralized management and enabling features like Nintendo Switch Online Family memberships.

7. What age is a Nintendo child account?

A child account can be created for anyone under the age of 18. However, users aged 13 and older can create their own regular Nintendo Accounts without needing parental supervision.

8. How many people can be on a Nintendo Account?

Purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online Family or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family membership provides the Nintendo Switch Online service to everyone in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group (up to 8 Nintendo Account users).

9. Can child accounts share games on Nintendo Switch?

While up to 8 users can be on the same Switch, a user can only put their library on their ‘primary’ Switch. So, even if all users are on all Switch consoles, they all still need a separate copy of the game to play together.

10. Can you use one Nintendo online account for two profiles?

Yes, you can. Even if your family members are using their accounts on different Nintendo Switch consoles, if you have a Family Membership and create a Family Group, then each account can use the Nintendo Swich Online services.

11. Do you need family membership for Nintendo Switch?

If the parent account purchases an Individual Membership, only the parent account can use Nintendo Switch Online, and not the Child Accounts. However, if the parent account purchases a Family Membership, any Child Accounts that are added to the Family Group can then use the services.

12. Can my child use my Nintendo online account?

13. Can I upgrade a single Nintendo Account to family?

There is not an automated way to change your Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Individual membership to a Nintendo Switch Online Family membership. You will need to wait until your current membership ends and purchase the other one.

14. How many child accounts can you have on Nintendo switch?

A parent or guardian’s Nintendo Account can be used to manage up to seven child accounts.

15. How do I add my child to my Nintendo switch online?

To add your child, access your Nintendo Account settings, select “Family group,” and then “Add member.” Choose “Create an account for a child” to add a child under 13.

Embracing Nintendo’s Family Features

Nintendo provides a robust system for managing family accounts, ensuring that children can enjoy gaming in a safe and controlled environment. Understanding the nuances of child accounts, family groups, and subscription services empowers parents and guardians to make informed decisions about their children’s gaming experiences.

By leveraging the features available, families can enjoy the fun and excitement of Nintendo gaming together, creating lasting memories while fostering a positive and responsible approach to online interaction. Exploring the intersection of gaming and learning can also be incredibly beneficial for children. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable insights into how games can be used as educational tools, enriching a child’s development in a fun and engaging way.

With the right knowledge and approach, Nintendo gaming can be a valuable and enjoyable part of family life.