Choose the device and gaming platform your child will actually use, then check that you can set up a separate child account before online play begins. Console family settings, tablet account controls and PC controls cover different activities; on a Windows PC, a game service such as Steam may need its own settings alongside Microsoft Family Safety. A headset does not replace account, platform or in-game communication settings.
Check whether you can create a child account and manage content, purchases and communication before your child starts playing online. UK regulator Ofcom advises using the child’s correct age and checking the settings of the console or gaming platform.
Find out which rules apply to each device and service rather than assuming one family account covers everything. Microsoft Family Safety and Steam Families, for example, manage different parts of a Windows PC gaming setup.
Look for adult-managed communication and purchase settings on the accounts and stores your child will use. Ofcom highlights parents’ concerns about contact with strangers and bullying; a game’s age rating alone does not tell you how its chat or payment settings work.
Start with where your child’s games are available, then compare the account setup and controls needed for that route.
Consider it when: Your child will mainly play on a console and you want to manage its family settings through the relevant PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo tools.
Bear in mind: Controls differ by system: PlayStation and Xbox use family accounts, while Nintendo says standard Switch parental controls apply to the whole console and Switch 2 GameChat has separate settings.
Consider it when: Your child’s games run on a tablet and your household can manage an Apple Child Account or a supervised Android account.
Bear in mind: Apple’s family controls depend on the account setup; Google Play purchase approvals cover transactions through Google Play billing, not every possible payment route.
Consider it when: Your child also needs a PC for other activities and you can manage both Windows and the gaming services they use.
Bear in mind: Microsoft Family Safety does not replace Steam Families for Steam account controls; Microsoft’s web filters also depend on a supported browser.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Check who can send voice or text messages and friend requests. Review settings in the family account, gaming service and individual games; Nintendo says Switch 2 GameChat settings are separate from some other restrictions. | I want to decide who can contact my child, including within the games they will actually play. |
| Age-appropriate content | Set up the account with the child’s correct age, then check content restrictions and how an adult approves exceptions. Ofcom advises checking both age registration and platform settings. | Age settings should reflect my child’s actual age without requiring them to use an adult account. |
| Purchases | Check approval options, spending settings and every store or payment method the child can access. Google says Google Play approvals apply only to purchases processed through its billing system. | I want to review purchases before they go through, including purchases made inside games. |
| Playtime | Look for time limits and activity information on the account or device your child will use. Check whether the relevant platform lets an adult approve extra time. | It would help to manage gaming time without sharing my own account or removing the usual limits for an occasional exception. |
Using an adult account or an incorrect age can undermine the content and account restrictions you intended to use. Ofcom advises registering children with their correct age.
Before choosing a platform, check how to create a separate child account and who will manage its family settings.
Chat may have separate settings in a game or linked service. Nintendo, for instance, distinguishes Switch 2 GameChat settings from some other communication restrictions.
Check voice chat, text chat, friend requests and multiplayer permissions in each game your child plans to play.
Google says its Google Play approval settings apply to purchases through Google Play billing. A child may also encounter other stores or payment methods.
Review the payment methods and purchase settings for each store and game account the child can access.
Steam Families manages Steam account features separately from Microsoft Family Safety. Microsoft says its web and search filters work only in supported browsers.
For a Windows PC, plan the child’s Windows account, browser settings and controls for each gaming service they will use.
These platform references describe account controls to investigate when choosing a device; the settings depend on the particular account and service in use.
PlayStation’s family tools are relevant to a child using a PS4 or PS5 account.
Xbox family settings are relevant when a child plays through an account in an Xbox family group.
Nintendo Switch parental controls are relevant to families considering Switch or Switch 2 play.
For an iPad, Apple’s Screen Time controls can be managed through a child’s account in Family Sharing.
Family Link and Google Play controls are relevant to a supervised Android tablet account.
Steam Families is relevant when a child will use Steam games on a PC.
This tablet is an option to assess if your child will play on a WiFi tablet. Check the games they want to use and the model’s child-account, communication and purchase settings before choosing it for online play.
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For tablet-based play, confirm that your child’s online games run on this model and check whether its child-account setup lets you manage chat and purchases. The listed variant has an 11-inch display, WiFi and 128GB storage.
Yes, if you intend to use the platform’s child-account controls. PlayStation, Apple and Steam tie their family-management tools to account setup or family roles. Use your child’s correct age: Ofcom says gaming services use age information to restrict certain features, games and content for younger users.
Do not assume it will. Console and platform communication settings have different scopes, and Nintendo says Switch 2 GameChat settings are separate from some other restrictions. Check voice and text options in each game and linked service your child will use.
Not necessarily. Google says Google Play approvals apply only to purchases processed through Google Play billing; Microsoft and Steam have their own family spending or approval tools. Check the store, game account and payment method involved before relying on an approval setting.
Set up Steam Families alongside Microsoft Family Safety. Steam can manage access to Steam games, chat and playtime, while Microsoft provides separate Windows family controls. Microsoft says its web and search filters require supported browsers.
Nintendo says GameChat requires an internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online membership. For users under 16, parental controls must first be configured in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app; check its separate GameChat permissions before allowing use.