Learn how to set up PS5 parental controls: create family accounts, manage screen time, restrict content and chat, limit purchases, and adjust settings remotely.
© E. Vartanyan
PlayStation 5 can be not only a powerful console but also a safe space for a child when set up thoughtfully. In recent years, Sony has greatly expanded its parental controls, and they now let you fine-tune screen time, content access, online interactions, and spending. The trick is to understand the logic of these settings once and use them with confidence.
All restrictions on PS5 work through the family account system. A child needs a separate account linked to an adult’s profile, which becomes the family manager. A child profile can’t be converted into an adult one until the set age is reached, and the console uses that profile to determine what’s accessible.
Setup starts in Settings → Family and Parental Controls → Family Management. After entering the adult account password, choose to add a new family member and specify it’s a child. PS5 will prompt you to scan a QR code that opens a secure Sony page with step-by-step registration.
During creation, the system asks for a date of birth. Based on it, PS5 automatically applies age-based restrictions for games and features. Then you enter the child’s email, create a password, and confirm the account. The profile appears in the family list and is ready for detailed tuning.
One of the most useful tools is playtime management. For each child account, you can set a daily limit in hours or define specific time windows when play is allowed. The console can warn in advance that time is almost up or end the session automatically.
Crucially, these limits are tied to the account, not a specific PS5. If the child signs in on another console at home, the rules still apply. Playtime reports are available both on the PS5 and through the PlayStation mobile app.
PS5 relies on age ratings and their regional counterparts. A parent can set an allowed rating level for games, and titles above it simply won’t launch without approval. Similar limits can be applied to Blu-ray and DVD playback, and the built-in browser can be disabled entirely.
This is especially helpful if the console is used not only for games but also for watching videos via various apps.
A separate section covers communication and user-generated content. Here you can restrict messaging, voice chat, sharing of screenshots and clips, and profile visibility. For younger children, fully disabling online multiplayer is often the sensible option; for teenagers, you can allow interactions with friends only.
These rules apply across supported games and don’t depend on settings inside any particular title.
A child account can’t directly use bank cards, but it can access the family manager’s wallet. Parents can set a monthly spending limit or block purchases entirely. This covers games, add-ons, subscriptions, and in-game currency. Any attempt to exceed the limit requires an adult’s approval.
After configuring restrictions, add the child as a user on the console and sign in under their account. The PS5 interface adapts to the rules: unavailable games get a lock icon, and blocked actions simply won’t go through.
All parameters can be adjusted remotely via the PS App or the PlayStation website. Changes sync almost instantly, which is convenient for households with multiple consoles.
A well-tuned PS5 isn’t just a system of bans; it’s a tool for building healthy gaming habits. Sony’s parental controls help create a safe, predictable environment where a child can play, communicate, and learn to navigate the digital world without crossing the boundaries you set.