PS4 parental controls let you manage what your kids can access on the console — game ratings, spending limits, who they can chat with online, how long they can play, and more. It's basically a suite of settings that turns the PlayStation from an anything-goes entertainment system into something that aligns with your family's values and budget.

The controls work through sub accounts that you create for your kids under your main "family manager" account. This is key — you're not just slapping a passcode on the console. You're creating actual separate user profiles with different permission levels.

Here's the thing: about 60% of kids ages 8-12 have access to a gaming console at home, and PlayStation is one of the big three. If you're not setting up these controls, your kid has access to:

And unlike phones where kids might have their own device, consoles are often shared family devices, which means you need to be intentional about who can access what.

First, you need to be the "Family Manager" — this is the adult account that controls everything.

You'll need an email address for this account. Use one you actually check, because PlayStation will send verification codes here.

Important: Kids under 7 can't have their own PSN accounts. Kids 7-17 get sub accounts with parental controls. Once they turn 18, the account automatically becomes a full adult account, so mark that birthday on your calendar if you want to have a conversation before the training wheels come off.

Now the real work begins. Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management, then select your child's account.

Game and App Restrictions:

Blu-ray/DVD Restrictions:

Use of PlayStation VR:

Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management > [Your Child's Account] > Parental Controls

Monthly Spending Limit:

Require Password at Checkout:

Pro tip: If your kid plays Fortnite or Roblox, understand that in-game currencies (V-Bucks, Robux) are purchased through these same store controls.

This is where things get real. Online gaming means online interaction, and not everyone on the internet is a 12-year-old looking for a Minecraft buddy.

Communication with Other Players:

User-Generated Content:

Web Browsing:

Here's where PlayStation's controls get a bit weak, honestly. The PS4 doesn't have built-in screen time limits like newer consoles or phones do.

Your options:

PlayStation Plus is the subscription service that lets kids play online multiplayer. About 40% of kids with PlayStation accounts have PS Plus access by age 10.

Here's what you need to know:

After you've set everything up, do this:

If something isn't working as expected, you can adjust settings anytime through Family Management.

PlayStation 4 parental controls are solid once you set them up, but they require intentional configuration. The console won't do the parenting for you — it'll happily let a 7-year-old play Call of Duty if you don't tell it otherwise.

My recommendation: Spend 20 minutes setting this up properly now rather than dealing with a $300 PlayStation Store charge or an awkward conversation about what your kid heard in voice chat later.

And remember: These controls are a tool, not a replacement for actual supervision and conversation. The best parental control is still sitting on the couch next to your kid while they play and asking "wait, what just happened?" when something weird goes down.

Need help with a specific game or situation? The Screenwise chatbot can walk you through it.