PS5 parental controls: playtime, spending and chat

Step 1: set up your family

Parental controls only work on a child account inside your family. You're the family manager. You can make another adult a parent/guardian so they can change settings too, including spending, so pick carefully. Your child needs to verify their email and be signed in on the console for controls to apply.

You can manage everything from the PlayStation Family app on your phone, the PlayStation website, or the console under Settings, Family and Parental Controls. Controls are tied to the account, so they follow your child to any PlayStation.

Step 2: pick an age level

PlayStation has three presets: Child, Early Teens, and Late Teens or Older. Change any single setting and it becomes Customise. If your child tries to start a blocked game, they can send you a request to allow that one game.

Step 3: playtime

• Set Restrict Play Time to Restrict.
• Choose a Play Time Duration and Playable Hours, for every day or day by day.
• Set When Play Time Ends to Log Out. "Notify Only" is a warning they can ignore.
• On the PS5 you can give extra time for one day without changing the routine.

Step 4: chat and other players' content

Set Communication and User-Generated Content to Restrict. That switches off:

• Text messages and voice chat with other players (pre-written in-game messages still work)
• Sharing their own screenshots and clips, and seeing other players'
• Linking some third-party apps with chat features

Your child can ask for an exception for chat in one game, and you approve it in the app. You also get a notification if they link a third-party service to their account.

Step 5: spending

Your child's PlayStation Store purchases come out of your wallet. The monthly spending limit starts at £0, so nothing gets bought until you raise it. Remember that any parent/guardian you appoint can change the limit.

Step 6: stop them changing it back

PlayStation recommends changing the console's settings so a child can't alter parental controls. Do that last, once everything else is set.

Games like Fortnite and Roblox have their own chat and spending settings on top: see our Fortnite and Roblox guides.

How do I set parental controls on a PS5?

First create a family and add your child as a family member. Then set controls from the PlayStation Family app on your phone, the PlayStation website, or the console under Settings, then Family and Parental Controls.

Can my child spend money on the PS5?

Only from the family manager's wallet, and only up to the monthly limit you set. The limit starts at £0, so they can't spend anything until you raise it.

Can I stop my child chatting to strangers on PlayStation?

Yes. Set Communication and User-Generated Content to Restrict. That turns off text messages and voice chat with other players (pre-written in-game messages still work) and blocks other players' screenshots, clips and broadcasts.

Does the PS5 turn off when playtime ends?

Only if you choose Log Out. The other option, Notify Only, shows a warning at the top of the screen but lets them keep playing.