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PlayStation: the parent’s guide

PS5 and PS4 family settings plus the communication controls that matter in multiplayer.

Console guide·Last reviewed 2026-04-22·1 min read·by Lexeprint Inc.

PlayStation Family Management

On your adult PlayStation account, Settings › Family and Parental Controls › Family Management.

Setup

  1. Add a child as a family member (requires their date of birth).
  2. Set an age-based preset.
  3. Configure spending limit (monthly).
  4. Communication: restricted to friends / off.
  5. User-Generated Media: blocked for younger kids.
  6. VR features: disable for under-13s.

PlayStation app on your phone

The phone app lets you monitor and adjust settings without being at the console. Install and link.

Real risks on PlayStation

  • Party chat with strangers in lobby-based multiplayer games (Call of Duty, Fortnite cross-play).
  • Gift card scams via PSN codes.
  • Share Play allows another user to control the console remotely — disable for kids.
  • Screenshots of private content being automatically uploaded via Auto-Upload — disable.

PS VR2

Sony’s VR headset has a recommended 12+ age range. For younger kids, avoid. For teens, apply the same age filter as the console; some VR experiences are 18+.