Gaming consoles: three guides, one page.

Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch each have their own family systems. The settings you want are roughly the same — purchase limits, chat controls, playtime caps — but the menu paths differ. Use the tabs below.

Xbox — via Xbox Family Settings app

  1. Install the Xbox Family Settings app

    On your phone. Sign in with the parent Microsoft account.

  2. Add your child's Microsoft account to your family

    Family Settings → + Add a member. Create a child account or add an existing one.

  3. Sign the child into the console

    On the Xbox, sign out and sign in as the child. The console detects the account type automatically.

  4. Set a spending limit

    In the app: child → Spending → Require permission for purchases.

  5. Set content filters by age

    Content filters → Access to games & apps. Pick an age — Xbox blocks anything rated above that.

  6. Set playtime schedules

    Screen time → Set screen time. Different caps per day; also a weekday/weekend pattern.

  7. Configure multiplayer & chat

    Privacy & online safety → Xbox Live privacy. Start with Friends only for voice/text chat. Voice chat with strangers is where the worst encounters happen.

  8. Turn off data collection & sharing

    Privacy & online safety → Data collection. Toggle everything off.