Understanding Supervised Nintendo Accounts: A Comprehensive Guide
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A supervised Nintendo Account is a special type of account designed for children aged 12 and under, automatically assigned this role upon creation. It allows younger users to access many of the standard Nintendo Account features, such as the Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo, while giving parents or guardians the ability to manage and monitor their child’s activities for a safer gaming experience. However, supervised accounts cannot perform any functions within the family group.
The Purpose of Supervision
Nintendo recognizes the importance of creating a safe and enjoyable gaming environment for children. Supervised accounts are a key component of their parental control system, allowing parents to set restrictions and monitor usage to ensure age-appropriate content and responsible online interactions. This oversight helps protect younger gamers from potentially harmful content, online predators, and excessive screen time.
Key Features and Limitations
Supervised Nintendo Accounts come with specific features and limitations compared to regular accounts:
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Automatic Assignment: Any Nintendo Account created for a user aged 12 or under is automatically designated as supervised.
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Access to Standard Features: Supervised accounts can still use many of the standard features, including purchasing and downloading games from the Nintendo eShop, participating in My Nintendo rewards programs, and accessing online services (subject to parental controls).
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Family Group Limitations: These accounts cannot manage or participate in family group settings beyond what is granted by the administrator.
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Parental Controls: Parents or guardians linked to the supervised account have the ability to set restrictions on game ratings, online communication, spending limits, and playtime duration.
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Communication Restrictions: Parents can control who their child can communicate with online, limiting interactions to friends or restricting them altogether.
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Purchase Controls: Parents can set spending limits on the Nintendo eShop to prevent unauthorized purchases.
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Play Time Limits: Parents can set daily play time limits to encourage balanced habits and prevent excessive gaming.
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Activity Reports: Parents may be able to receive reports detailing their child’s gaming activity.
Removing Supervision
Removing supervision from a Nintendo Account depends on the user’s age and whether an email address is registered. Restrictions cannot be lifted for users who are under the age of 16 OR who have not yet registered an email address to their Nintendo Account (age 16 and over only).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is my Nintendo Account supervised?
Your Nintendo Account is likely supervised because it was created with a date of birth indicating that you are 12 years old or younger. Nintendo automatically assigns supervised status to accounts for children in this age range to provide parental control features.
2. How do I remove supervision from my Switch account?
To remove supervision, follow these steps:
- Select Family Group in your Nintendo Account settings.
- Select the Nintendo Account you want to stop supervising.
- Select Lift parental controls restrictions. This option may not be available if the user is under 16 or does not have a registered email address.
3. Can a supervised Nintendo Account play online?
Yes, supervised accounts can play online, especially with a Family Membership. The Family Membership allows up to eight Nintendo Accounts in a family group to use Nintendo Switch Online services, even if they live in different households. Parental controls can be set for each supervised account to manage online interactions.
4. How do I transfer a supervised Nintendo Account to a new Switch?
To transfer a supervised account, the admin account that supervises accounts being moved FROM must log into their Nintendo Account and visit accounts.nintendo.com/family/transferchildrenrequest. A list of supervised accounts within the group will appear. Check the box next to each supervised account that you want to move, then click OK.
5. How do I remove a supervised member from my family group?
- Go to g.co/YourFamily.
- Select the child you want to remove.
- Select Account info.
- Select Remove member. You may need to enter your password.
- Select Remove to confirm.
6. How do you lift the age restriction on a Nintendo Switch?
- Tap Console Settings on the Nintendo Switch home menu.
- Tap Parental Controls.
- Tap Restriction Level.
- Select the appropriate age level (Teen, Pre-Teen, Child) or choose Custom Settings to tailor the content access.
7. What is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a child account?
Nintendo Accounts for children can be created for users age 0 through 17. 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 and cannot be linked to Google accounts or Apple IDs.
8. Is parental supervision the same as parental control?
Not exactly. Supervision involves monitoring and ensuring rules are followed, while control includes establishing the rules themselves. Parental control is more expansive. The ability to supervise entails watching over a subordinate to make sure the rules are being followed. The power of control, on the other hand, is more expansive because it entails establishing the actual laws that must be followed.
9. How do I change my date of birth on my Nintendo Account?
Unfortunately, once you enter your date of birth on a Nintendo Account, you cannot change it. The only solution is to delete the account and create a new one with the correct date of birth.
10. How do I remove supervised device from Family Link?
- On your parent device, open the Family Link app.
- Select your child.
- Tap Controls.
- Tap Devices.
- Select your child’s device.
- Tap Reset device & delete data. If you don’t find “Reset device & delete data,” you can remove the child’s account from Android settings on their device.
11. Can you remove a child account from a Nintendo Account?
Yes, Nintendo Accounts for children can be deleted, but only through the parent/guardian’s Nintendo Account. The parent/guardian should log in, click Family group, select the child’s account, click Other Settings, and then proceed with deletion.
12. Why does my Switch say “you are not eligible”?
This message usually indicates that the date of birth associated with your account suggests you are under 13. Only users 13 or older can create a standard Nintendo Account. Children under 13 can have an account added to a parent/guardian’s account.
13. Does Nintendo Account have age restrictions?
Yes, Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users age 13 and older. However, users 18 and older can create and add up to five Nintendo Accounts for children (age 17 and under) to their account.
14. How do I activate age restrictions on a Nintendo Switch?
Android app
- Sign in to your account.
- At the top right, tap your profile photo .
- Tap Settings General.
- Turn on or off Restricted Mode.
15. Can you get rid of device supervision?
The supervised mode can be removed by resetting/wiping the device to factory settings (Erase all content and settings) if the supervised mode was enabled using Apple Configurator.
The Broader Context: Gaming and Learning
Understanding supervised Nintendo Accounts is just one aspect of navigating the world of gaming, especially for young people. The Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org are a community of educators, researchers, game designers, and developers who are interested in understanding the connection between games and learning. Gaming can be a powerful tool for education and development, and organizations like the Games Learning Society are dedicated to exploring and promoting these positive aspects.
Conclusion
Supervised Nintendo Accounts are a valuable tool for parents seeking to create a safe and controlled gaming environment for their children. By understanding the features, limitations, and parental control options available, parents can help their children enjoy the benefits of gaming while mitigating potential risks. These measures can help ensure a positive and age-appropriate experience for younger players.