Steam: the parent’s guide
Steam Families, Family View, and the scam patterns targeting kid accounts.
Steam Family + Steam Family View
Steam has two family features. Steam Families (newer) lets parents approve purchases and share game libraries. Steam Family View (older, still works) locks the Steam client into a restricted mode until a PIN is entered.
Steam Families setup
- On the parent Steam account: Account Details › Family Management › Create Family.
- Invite up to 5 members; mark minors as children.
- Child purchases require parent approval.
- Family library sharing — kids can play parent-owned games (if parent isn’t actively playing).
- Playtime limits can be set per kid.
Steam Family View setup
- On the kid’s Steam client: Settings › Family › Manage Family View.
- Choose what’s accessible without PIN: Store, Community, Friends list, Library, etc.
- Set a PIN the kid doesn’t know.
- Choose which games in the library are accessible.
Settings that matter
- Friends › Privacy: Private or Friends Only.
- Who can see my games: Friends Only.
- Invites from non-friends: off.
- Comments on profile: Friends Only.
- Steam Chat from non-friends: off.
- Trade holds: enabled on account with Family View (prevents item loss to scams).
Scam patterns on Steam
- “Vote for my team” phishing links in friend requests or Steam chat — steal accounts.
- Item-trade scams — attacker offers high-value items, switches at the last moment.
- Fake “Steam support” DMs — Steam never DMs you.
- Gift card scams via Discord communities attached to games.
Third-party chat and mods
Steam games often integrate Discord voice. And many games support mod downloads (Steam Workshop) that can include content the base game doesn’t. Review installed mods with your kid.
Common questions
What is the difference between Steam Families and Family View?
Steam Families is the newer system: parents approve purchases, share libraries and set playtime limits per child. Family View is the older one, still working, which locks the Steam client into a restricted mode until a PIN is entered. They solve different problems and can be used together.
How do I set up Steam Families?
On your own Steam account: Account Details › Family Management › Create Family. Invite up to five members and mark minors as children. Their purchases then require your approval, and they can play games from your library when you are not using them.
What scams target children on Steam?
Four recur constantly: “vote for my team” phishing links sent through friend requests or Steam chat; item-trade scams where the attacker switches the item at the last moment; fake “Steam support” DMs, which are always fake because Steam never DMs you; and gift-card scams run through game Discord servers.
Which Steam privacy settings should I change?
Set the friends list to private or friends-only, games visible to friends only, invites from non-friends off, profile comments to friends only, and Steam chat from non-friends off. Enable trade holds, which prevent items being lost instantly to a scam.
Should I check what mods my child installs?
Yes. Steam Workshop mods can add content the base game does not contain and that its age rating never covered. Reviewing installed mods together is more effective than trying to block the Workshop outright.