A Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up Parental Controls for Video Games

From the Entertainment Software Ratings Board
Published: August 27, 2008

As any parent knows, raising kids today has never been more challenging, particularly when it comes to the media our children consume.  But computer and video games are actually among the easiest of entertainment products for parents to control.  In addition to using ESRB ratings to help choose appropriate games, parents can take advantage of parental controls to make sure that their children are playing games they deem appropriate.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up and utilize parental control settings on the latest generation of game consoles – Microsoft Xbox 360™, Wii™ from Nintendo, and Sony PLAYSTATION3® (and PSP®) – as well as in Windows Vista™ to ensure a fun, secure, and appropriate gaming experience for you and your family.

Video

ESRB Rating System (ESRB president Patricia Vance)

Parental Controls (GamerDad Andrew Bub)

Online-Enabled Video Games (ESRB president Patricia Vance, PTA national president Jan Harp Domene, GamerDad Andrew Bub)

Microsoft Xbox 360™

1. In the Xbox Dashboard, using the left stick or round pad on your controller, go to the “System” tab, then “Family Settings,” and press the green A button to access “Console Controls.”

2. Press the green A button again to select “Game Ratings.” Select the maximum ESRB rating level you deem appropriate for your children by pressing the green A button.

3. Go to “Set Pass Code” and press the green A button twice, at which point you must enter a 4-button pass code using the Xbox controller buttons. Select a question and answer in case you forget or want to reset your pass code.

4. Select “Done” on both the “Set Pass Code” and “Console Controls” screens to save your settings.

5. Select “Yes, Save Changes” to activate.

You can also use “Console Controls” to:
-- Activate the “Family Timer” to limit the total amount of time the console can be used per day or week
-- Manage access to Microsoft’s online service “Xbox LIVE”
-- Block access to movie DVDs by MPAA rating
-- Hide restricted content (e.g., downloadable games, trailers and demos) in “Xbox LIVE Marketplace” and “Inside Xbox”

Other tips about Xbox LIVE:
-- You may want to set up a separate “Xbox LIVE” account for each child in your family
-- “Xbox LIVE Controls” (found in “Family Settings”) also allow you to:
-- Permit or block access to online games (select “Online Gameplay”)
-- Manage whom your child can communicate and play with and by what means (voice, text and/or video) (select “Privacy and Friends”)

Wii™ from Nintendo
1. From the main Wii Menu, using the cursor and the A Button on the Wii Remote controller, select “Wii Options” followed by “Wii Settings.” Click on the blue arrow to the right to reach the “Wii System Settings 2” menu options.

2. Choose “Parental Controls” and select “Yes.”

3. Create a 4-digit PIN and select “OK.” You will be prompted to select a secret question to be used if you forget the PIN number. Once done, select “OK.”

4. Select “Game Settings and PIN.” Now you can select the “Highest Game Rating Allowed” on the Wii console. Once selected, press “OK,” “Confirm,” and “Settings Complete.”

You can also use the “Other Settings” menu under “Parental Controls” to:
-- Prevent use of “Wii Points” in the “Wii Shop Channel” where games can be downloaded
-- Limit online use of Wii Message Board and access to certain user-created content.
-- Block use of the “Internet Channel” and/or “News Channel”

Other tips:
-- If your child wants to play online with a friend, they must exchange Friend Codes, which are specific to each game.  Users can also trade Wii Numbers, which would allow the exchange of messages between friends on the Wii Message Board.  Your own Wii Number can be found in the “Address Book.”

Sony PLAYSTATION®3 and PSP® (PlayStation® Portable)
1. In the main menu, using the left stick or directional pad, go to “Settings,” then using the down stick or directional pad select “Security Settings.” Options for restricting games are listed under “Parental Control.” A number system indicates the relative level of restriction: the lower the number, the tighter the restrictions.

2. Each number below corresponds with an ESRB rating category:

2 – EC (Early Childhood 3+) 5 – T (Teen 13+)
3 – E (Everyone 6+) 6 – M (Mature 17+)
4 – E10+ (Everyone 10+) 10 – AO (Adults Only 18+)

3. To set parental controls for the Web browser, in “Security Settings,” select “Internet Browser Start Control.” Your options are “On” or “Off.” Selecting “On” will block access to the Internet.

4. The PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP parental controls are enforced by a four-digit password. The default password is 0000 (four zeros). It is recommended that you reset the password. In the Security Settings menu, select “Change Password.” Enter the default password, and then select a new password.

You can also use “Parental Control” to:
-- Block access to DVD and Blu-ray (high-definition) movies by MPAA rating

Tips about PLAYSTATION Network:
-- The default settings block content based on registered user age and restrict chat with other players
-- Be sure to set up sub accounts for each child

Microsoft Windows Vista™
Note: Games featuring the “Games for Windows” branding are best able to take full advantage of Vista family settings.

1. Using your cursor, click on the Windows Vista “Start” button at the lower left corner of your desktop to open the “Start” menu.

2. Click on the “Instant Search” field and enter “par” to search for Parental Controls.

3. Click on “Parental Controls.”

4. In the “Settings” menu, click on “Create a new user account.” Click on the text field and enter a username.

5. Click “Create Account.” At this point, you will be given a variety of options to set controls for:
-- Web Content - block access to Internet content
-- Computer Games - restrict by ESRB rating
-- Time Limits - select when and for how long the computer can be used

Other tips:
-- Create a separate login for each child in the family
-- Use the “Activity Viewer” feature to monitor your children’s use, and to adjust parental control settings. This is found under “User Controls” in the “Parental Controls” section

For more information about choosing appropriate video games or to sign up for ESRB’s e-newsletter, visit http://www.esrb.org.