Set parental controls on PS4 consoles
How to set parental controls on PS4 consoles
Learn how to set up parental controls and limit your child’s use of games, apps, and features on your PlayStation®4 console.
To set parental controls, you need your own account for PlayStation™Network and an account for each child. If you set up the child accounts, you automatically become the family manager. If someone else sets up the child accounts, they can appoint you as a “guardian” to allow you to set parental controls and spending limits.
When setting parental controls, remember to adjust the system settings to prevent children from changing parental controls.
How to set parental controls for PS4 consoles online
Sign in to Account Management > Family Management.
Select the child account you want to set restrictions for and select Edit to adjust each feature.
On your PS4™ console, go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management. You may need to re-enter your account password.
Select the child account you want to set restrictions for and select a feature to adjust.
How to set who can change your child's privacy settings
You can set who can change your child's privacy settings by visiting Account Management.
If you choose Set by Parent/Guardian, the family manager and parents/guardians can change the child’s privacy settings.
You can also select which settings (if any) you want to allow your child to change. If you do allow your child to change settings, you can also decide which options they can choose from for each setting.
You are notified each time the child adjusts their settings.
If you choose Set by Child, your child can change their privacy settings. The parents/guardians can only view the child’s privacy settings.
You are notified each time the child adjusts their settings.
- Go to Account Management and select Family Management.
- Select a child family member and then scroll down to Privacy.
- Select Set by and then select your style from the dropdown.
- Select Save.
How to set a spending limit online
- Sign in to Account Management > Family Management.
- Select the child account you want to set a spending limit for and select Edit to adjust the Monthly Spending Limit.
- Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management.
- You may need to re-enter your account password.
- Select the child account you want to set restrictions for and select Applications/Devices/Network Features > Monthly Spending Limit.
How to make an exception for game communication features
As the family manager, parent or guardian, you can make an exception and allow the use of in-game communication features for a specific game, even if Communication and User-Generated Content is set to Not Allowed. If your child tries to use the in-game communication features during a game, a screen appears. From here, your child can send a request for you to make an exception for the game.
- You receive your child's request in an email. As the family manager or an appointed parent or guardian, visit the website specified in the email and sign in to your account.
- Select your child from the list of family members, and then select Allowed Games to view their request.
You can also view your child's request from the website below.
PS4 console parental controls
Parental controls and spending limits work alongside family management and play time controls to help you manage your child’s activity on PS4 consoles and PSN.
Set play time restrictions
Play time management gives family managers (and adult family members who are set as guardians) the ability to set limits on when, and for how long, each child can access PS4 consoles and PS5 consoles.Set monthly spending limits
If you set a spending limit for a child account, we will let that child spend up to that amount each month on PlayStation Store. The funds are taken from the family manager’s wallet.
Please note, if you are a “guardian” but not the family manager, let the family manager know if you change parental controls. If you are the family manager, be aware that anyone you appoint as guardian can change the spending limits you have created.
Restrict communication and user-generated content
You can prevent child accounts from communicating with other players via chat, messages and game invitations. This setting also restricts viewing content created by other players. You can block videos, images, and text created by other users.Please note, child accounts can request an exception to use communication features in a specific game.
Set age rating levels for games, Blu-ray™ and DVD
Games and videos are rated by age level to help parents figure out whether the content is appropriate for their child. Learn about age ratings before you adjust this setting.Restrict use of Internet Browser
Restrict use of PlayStation® VR
PlayStation® VR is not for use by children under 12 years.
- Age Filtering for Online Content
You can limit access to online game features and PlayStation™Store content based on your child’s age*.
How to subscribe to Web Filter on PS4 consoles
Trend Micro Kids Safety is a web filtering service that prevents your child from seeing inappropriate or harmful material while using the Internet browser.* You can also purchase Trend Micro Web Security to help you avoid phishing and scam websites.
To sign up:
On your PS4 console, go to PlayStation Store and search for 'Trend Micro'.
Select the subscription you would like to sign up for and continue to check out.
If you would like both Kids Safety and Web Security you can sign up for a bundled subscription* by selecting 'Trend Micro for PlayStation 4'.
To enable:
On your PS4 console, go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > PS4 System Restrictions > Web Filter > Trend Micro for PlayStation 4 Settings.
Enter the system restrictions passcode. If you haven't set this yet, the default is 0000.
Place a tick next to the filter you want to enable. Web filtering is now active.
* Please note that this is a rolling subscription with periodic billing. Please visit How to cancel a PlayStation Store subscription for more information.
Need help?
Contact our support specialists