PlayStation – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

PlayStation

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2013

40%

WISE Score

PlayStation's companion app: a remote control for your console that doubles as a gateway to gaming's social (and spending) ecosystem.

PlayStation

app

12+, 2013

40%

WISE Score

PlayStation's companion app: a remote control for your console that doubles as a gateway to gaming's social (and spending) ecosystem.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is essentially a Swiss Army knife for PlayStation owners—useful, functional, and potentially problematic depending on who's wielding it.

The app itself is harmless infrastructure: remote downloads, storage management, news feeds. But it's also a direct pipeline to voice chat with strangers, aggressive store marketing, and constant notifications designed to keep your kid thinking about gaming even when they're not playing.

If your kid has a PlayStation, they probably want this app. And honestly, the remote download feature is genuinely convenient. But you need to treat this like handing them the keys to a car—it requires supervision, clear rules, and ongoing conversations about online safety and spending.

Disable voice chat with strangers, require approval for all purchases, turn off lock screen notifications, and regularly check who they're messaging. Otherwise, this becomes a 24/7 gaming engagement machine that lives in their pocket.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13+ who already have a PlayStation and can handle the social dynamics of online gaming culture. Younger kids shouldn't have unsupervised access to voice chat and messaging features, regardless of what games they play.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The app itself is a companion tool for managing gaming activity and social connections. It facilitates friend communication and community engagement, which can be positive. However, it's a gateway to gaming culture that can include toxic behavior, competitive stress, and unhealthy engagement patterns. The app doesn't create content but connects users to it, so wholesomeness depends heavily on how it's used and what games/communities kids access through it.

Imaginative

This is purely a utility/companion app for console management and social features. It doesn't foster creativity or exploration itself—it's a remote control and social hub for PlayStation consoles. While it connects users to games that may be imaginative, the app itself offers no creative tools, building mechanics, or exploratory elements. It's functional, not imaginative.

Safe

Multiple safety concerns: unmoderated voice chat with strangers, messaging features that can expose kids to toxic gaming culture, access to PlayStation Store with aggressive marketing and spending opportunities, and notifications designed to pull users back constantly. The 'kids mode available' flag suggests some parental controls exist, but the core features (social messaging, voice chat, store access) carry significant risk for younger users. No content ratings provided, and the app is a direct pipeline to online interactions that can be harmful.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value. The app teaches basic digital literacy (managing downloads, storage) and some organizational skills, but primarily exists to increase PlayStation engagement and spending. The social features can build community but often reinforce gaming addiction patterns. News feed is marketing-focused. The remote management features are convenient but don't develop meaningful skills. Entertainment value exists only as a conduit to actual games.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Convenient remote management—download games while at school so they're ready when you get home
Helps kids coordinate multiplayer sessions with actual friends they know IRL
Teaches basic digital organization skills (managing storage, downloads, notifications)
Can facilitate healthy gaming habits if used to set boundaries (like checking playtime before allowing more)

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What to Watch For

Voice chat and messaging with strangers—gaming culture can be incredibly toxic, especially for kids
PlayStation Store access means constant marketing and one-tap spending on your linked payment method
Lock screen notifications designed to pull kids back to gaming constantly
Trophy comparison and 'who's online' features can fuel FOMO and unhealthy competition
This app exists to increase PlayStation engagement and revenue, not to benefit your family

Conversation Starters

"Who are you actually talking to in voice chat? Do you know them from real life?"
"What games are your friends trying to get you to buy? Let's look at reviews together before deciding."
"How do you feel when you see everyone else is online playing and you're not?"
"What's the difference between a gaming friend and a real friend?"

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