How To Change a Minor’s Age on PlayStation

Unfortunately, directly changing a minor’s date of birth on a PlayStation Network (PSN) account is not possible. Sony imposes this restriction to ensure child safety and adherence to parental control settings. Once a date of birth is entered during account creation, it’s essentially locked. This can be frustrating, especially if an incorrect date was accidentally entered. The good news is there are some, albeit indirect, workarounds and important considerations.

Understanding the Limitations

Before exploring possible solutions, it’s crucial to grasp why Sony doesn’t allow direct age modifications.

• Compliance with Regulations: Many countries have strict laws regarding online data collection and privacy for children. Locking the age helps Sony comply with these regulations and ensure parental consent is appropriately obtained and maintained.

• Parental Controls: A child’s age is the bedrock of PlayStation’s parental control system. Age determines content restrictions, online communication allowances, and spending limits. Allowing age changes would potentially bypass these controls, undermining their effectiveness and jeopardizing child safety.

• Account Security: Preventing date of birth modification adds a layer of security, preventing malicious actors from potentially misrepresenting a user’s age for nefarious purposes.

What Can You Do?

While directly changing the date of birth is off the table, here are the available options:

1. Link to a Sony Account and Hope: While not a guaranteed fix, some users have reported success in linking their PSN account to a general Sony account. When doing so, you may be prompted to enter a new date of birth for the linked Sony account. This might then propagate to your PSN account. It’s worth trying, but manage expectations.

2. Account Termination (Last Resort): This is the most drastic option, and only suitable if the account is relatively new and hasn’t accumulated significant purchases or progress. You can contact PlayStation Support and request the account be closed. Be aware that everything associated with the account will be lost, including game purchases, saved data, PlayStation Plus subscriptions, and trophies. Once closed, you can create a new account with the correct date of birth.

3. Utilize Parental Controls to the Fullest: Even with an incorrect birthdate, you can still effectively manage your child’s PlayStation experience using the robust parental controls. Set appropriate age restrictions for games and apps, control online interactions, and manage spending limits. Regularly review these settings to ensure they align with your child’s maturity and online safety needs. See section below How do I change my child’s age on PS5?

4. The “Wait It Out” Strategy: If the discrepancy in age isn’t significant, you could simply wait until the child turns 18 (or the age that would correct the error). At that point, the account automatically transitions to an adult account, and restrictions are lifted. This is, of course, not ideal in the short term, but it’s a passive solution.

Detailed Steps for Utilizing Parental Controls

On PS5:

1. Go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls.
2. Select Family Management. You may need to enter your account password.
3. Choose the child account you want to manage.
4. Adjust settings such as:
   • Play Time Settings: Limit how long your child can play each day/week.
   • Games and Apps: Set age-level restrictions for games and apps. You can set separate restrictions for PS5 and PS4 games.
   • Blu-ray Disc and DVD: Control viewing of physical media.
   • Communication Features: Restrict who your child can communicate with online.
   • Spending Limits: Manage how much your child can spend on the PlayStation Store.

On PS4:

1. Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management.
2. Re-enter your PSN account password, if prompted.
3. Select the child user.
4. Select Parental Controls.
5. Adjust settings similar to those available on the PS5.

Understanding Age Ratings and Parental Control Levels

PlayStation uses age ratings from various rating boards (like ESRB in North America and PEGI in Europe) to determine content suitability. Parental control levels correspond to these ratings, allowing you to block games and apps based on their age appropriateness.

• ESRB Ratings:

  • E (Everyone): Suitable for all ages.
  • E10+ (Everyone 10+): Generally suitable for ages 10 and up.
  • T (Teen): Suitable for ages 13 and up.
  • M (Mature): Suitable for ages 17 and up.
  • AO (Adults Only): Restricted to adults 18 and older.

• Parental Control Levels (PS4): Levels typically range from 1 (most restrictive) to 9 (least restrictive). Level 9 usually corresponds to the “M” rating (Mature). Level 10 restricts all play. The specific age range associated with each level can vary slightly depending on the region. So, if your child is 13, setting the parental control level to 5 would generally allow them to play games and apps rated for ages 12 and below.

The Importance of Open Communication

Beyond technical solutions and parental controls, open and honest communication with your child is paramount. Discuss online safety, responsible gaming habits, and the importance of age-appropriate content. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or questions they may have. The GamesLearningSociety.org website offers valuable resources and research on the intersection of gaming and education, providing insights for parents and educators. By fostering a culture of trust and communication, you can help your child navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change my child’s age on PS5?

As stated above, you cannot directly change the age. However, the article details a method of linking a general Sony account to your PSN, and potentially entering a new birthdate in that way, in order to solve the issue. It also explains Parental Controls, which can be accessed by going to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management, and using those instead of their age, to limit access to content and features.

Can I change my child’s PlayStation ID?

Online IDs cannot be changed for child accounts. This is another security measure implemented by Sony. Once the ID is set, it remains locked until the account transitions to an adult account.

Can I change the date of birth on a PlayStation account?

As reiterated throughout this article, once a date of birth is entered into your PSN account, there is generally no direct option to edit it. The suggested workaround is to link the PSN to a Sony account, though even this is not guaranteed to work.

How do I take age restrictions off my PS4?

To remove parental controls entirely, follow these steps:

1. On your PS4 console, go to Settings.
2. Select Parental Controls/Family Management.
3. Select PS4 System Restrictions.
4. Enter your parental control passcode.
5. Select Turn Off Parental Controls.
6. Select Yes to confirm.

What is the age limit for PlayStation accounts?

If you are between 7 and 17 years old, you need a Responsible Adult to agree to you having an account and help you to create it. If you are 18 or over, you can create an account by yourself.

Does PlayStation ask for your age?

Yes, PlayStation asks for your age during account creation. This information is used to determine eligibility and apply appropriate parental control settings. If you are younger than 18, your parent or legal guardian must create an account for you and agree to the terms of service.

Can a minor have a PlayStation account?

Yes, a minor can have a PlayStation account, but it must be a child account linked to a parent or guardian’s account. This allows parents to manage settings and ensure age-appropriate content.

What does parental control level 9 mean?

On PS4, level 9 is the least restrictive parental control level. It typically corresponds to the ESRB M (Mature) rating, allowing access to content suitable for ages 17 and up. However, it’s important to check your region’s specific settings, as the exact age range can vary.

How do I change my child’s account to normal on PS4?

You cannot directly convert a child account to an adult account manually. The account will automatically transition to an adult account when the child reaches the age of majority (usually 18). At that point, parental controls are lifted, and the user gains full access to all PlayStation features.

How do I remove parental control?

The article details the steps to remove parental controls entirely under the section How do I take age restrictions off my PS4?.

What is parental control level 5 on PS4?

Parental control level 5 on PS4 typically allows access to games and apps rated for ages 12 and below. The specific age range can vary, so it’s always best to check your console’s settings for clarification.

At what age should parents stop using parental controls?

There’s no single “right” age to stop using parental controls. The appropriate age depends on the child’s maturity, responsibility, and online habits. Many parents gradually reduce restrictions as their child approaches adulthood, typically around age 16 or 17.

Why can’t my child use my PlayStation Plus?

Child accounts can only access content through PlayStation Plus that is age-appropriate. Parental controls set by the parent determine what content the child can access. If the child is trying to access content that exceeds their age restrictions, they will be blocked.

What are age limits for digital game ownership and purchasing, and how do they relate to parental controls on PlayStation?

Age limits for digital game ownership and purchasing are directly tied to the age ratings assigned to games (like ESRB or PEGI) and the parental control settings on PlayStation consoles. When a minor has a PlayStation account, their age is used to restrict access to games that exceed the parental control levels set by their guardian. Therefore, a 12-year-old with level 5 restrictions won’t be able to purchase or download games rated Teen or Mature, while a 17-year-old with level 9 settings can access most content, with Adults Only titles still restricted unless explicitly allowed by the parent. It’s a multilayered approach to child safety, including both purchase restrictions and content usage permissions. More information on how to support young learners who play video games can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.

What alternative non-technical tools can parents use to educate their children about age-appropriate gaming content and responsible online behavior?

Beyond technical solutions, parents can utilize several non-technical tools to promote responsible online behavior and ensure access to age-appropriate gaming content. These include:

• Open and Honest Communication: Regularly discussing online safety, potential risks, and the importance of making responsible choices.
• Shared Gaming Experiences: Playing games with their children to understand the content and foster positive interactions.
• Setting Clear Expectations: Establishing clear rules and guidelines for online behavior, screen time, and appropriate content.
• Utilizing Resources: Exploring online resources, like the Games Learning Society, books, and workshops, to educate themselves and their children about digital citizenship.
• Encouraging Critical Thinking: Helping children develop critical thinking skills to evaluate online content and identify potentially harmful or inappropriate material.