PS5 parental controls and family accounts: age limits, spending and play time

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The PS5 has thorough parental controls, but they only work properly when the accounts are set up the right way first. Controls are tied to a child's account rather than to the console, so getting the family structure correct is the step that matters most.

Start with a family

Parental controls apply to child accounts that belong to a PlayStation family. The adult who sets it up is the family manager, and can appoint other adults as guardians.

On the console, go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management.
Add a family member and choose to create a child account, or invite an existing one.
Complete the child's email verification, and make sure they sign in with their own account rather than a parent's.

Because controls follow the account, a limit set on one device applies everywhere that account signs in. You can manage the family from the console, from the account management pages on PlayStation's website, or from Sony's family mobile app, so you can change things without being at the TV.

Age limits for games and content

Each child account has a set of restrictions based on age ratings:

Sony provides presets for younger children, early teens and older teens. On PS5, the child preset allows games rated at or below the child's age.
Any preset can be customised, after which it shows as a custom setting.
You can also restrict web browsing and video apps, depending on what the console offers in your region.

If a child tries to start a game that is blocked, they can send a request. The family manager and guardians receive a notification and an email, and can approve it from the app, the website or a PS5 notification. This makes the system much less frustrating than a blanket ban.

Spending

The child's purchases are paid from the family manager's wallet, so this setting needs attention early.

The monthly spending limit starts at zero, which blocks spending until you change it.
Set a limit that matches your rules for pocket money or in-game currency.
Remember that free-to-play games sell items inside the game, and those purchases count towards the limit.
If more than one adult manages the account, agree changes between you so the limit does not move unexpectedly.

Play time

Play time settings let you set daily limits and choose what happens when time runs out.

Set the time zone, the allowed hours and a daily duration.
Choose whether the child just gets a notification or is logged out when time is up. A notification suits older children who need to reach a save point.
On PS5 you can adjust today's allowance without changing the whole schedule, which is useful for weekends or a special occasion.

Communication and sharing

You can restrict text messages and voice chat with other players, viewing content made by other players, and linking some third-party apps. Pre-written in-game messages remain available. Separate options block screenshots, video clips and broadcasting. For younger children, restricting communication is often the most important setting of all.

Making it work in practice

Sit down with your child and explain the rules before switching them on.
Review the settings as your child grows, rather than leaving the first preset forever.
Check the monthly activity reports for play time and purchases.
Keep your own account protected with a strong password and two-step verification, so the controls cannot be undone from it.

Menu names and options change with system updates, so check PlayStation's family support pages for the current details. What rules work in your house for gaming time? Share your approach in the comments.