PlayStation (PS5)
Parental controls, spending limits, play time
Last updated: March 2026
Access Family Management
On your PS5, go to Settings (gear icon in the top-right corner of the home screen). Select "Family and Parental Controls," then "Family Management." Sign in with your PSN account (this must be the family manager account). You can also manage family settings at playstation.com by signing in and going to Account Settings, then Family Management.
Set Age Level for Games and Content
Select your child's account in Family Management, then "Parental Controls." Under "Age level for games," set the appropriate level based on your child's age. Level 1-3 is suitable for young children, while higher levels allow more mature content. Also set "Age level for Blu-ray Disc and DVD" if applicable. Games above the set rating will be locked and won't appear in the store.
Restrict Communication to Friends Only
In your child's Parental Controls, go to "Communication and User-Generated Content." Set this to "Restrict" to prevent your child from chatting with, sending messages to, or receiving messages from players who aren't on their friend list. This also restricts sharing screenshots, video clips, and viewing user-generated content.
Set Monthly Spending Limit
In Family Management, select your child's account and go to "Parental Controls." Find "Monthly spending limit" and set an amount (you can set it to $0 to prevent all purchases). Your child will see an error if they try to buy something that exceeds their limit. You can also avoid adding any payment method to their sub-account entirely for maximum safety.
Set Play Time Restrictions
Still in your child's Parental Controls, go to "Play time settings." Enable play time restrictions and set the time zone. Set "Duration" for how long your child can play each day. Set "Playable hours" to define the specific window when they can play (for example, not before school or after bedtime). Choose whether to "Notify only" or "Log out" when time is up. "Log out" is recommended for younger children.
Pro Tips
- •Set the system-level restriction passcode (Settings > Family and Parental Controls > PS5 Console Restrictions) so your child can't change settings. Use a code they won't guess.
- •Disable the PS5 web browser under "Allowed Games & Content" if you don't want your child browsing the internet on the console.
- •PS5 parental controls also work with PlayStation VR2. Make sure to review VR-specific content ratings if your child uses VR.
What This Doesn’t Cover
- •PlayStation does not have a mobile app for real-time parental monitoring like Xbox does. You need to use the console or the website.
- •Party voice chat can be difficult to monitor. The communication restriction blocks messages but determined kids may find workarounds.
- •Free-to-play games (like Fortnite) can be downloaded without a payment method. Spending limits only apply to PlayStation Store purchases.
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