Home video and casual-game families
Parents or carers choosing a screen mainly for video, approved apps and casual games at home, without making portable communication the reason to buy a phone.
Who is choosing?
Gaming-first households
Families weighing game suitability, playtime, spending and communication settings before choosing a console or another gaming-capable device.
Communication-ready device planners
Parents or carers considering a phone because the child needs to communicate away from the main household screen as well as watch videos and play games.
What matters when choosing?
For a child who watches videos, games online and communicates, decide which activity drives the device choice. Treat the child account and adult-managed settings as part of that choice, not something to sort out afterwards.
Tablet
Consider it when: Video, apps and casual games are mainly used at home, without a need for an always-carried phone.
Bear in mind: A general-purpose tablet can also open messaging-capable apps, so household rules need to extend beyond screen time.
Smartphone
Consider it when: Portable communication is a genuine requirement alongside video and games.
Bear in mind: Personal messaging and portable access make ongoing app and communication supervision particularly important.
Games console
Consider it when: Gaming is the main activity and the household wants a game-focused device.
Bear in mind: Console settings differ by platform, and online play can still involve chat and purchases.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Home video and casual games | Check child-account setup, app-download permissions and content settings on the intended tablet. | I want one home screen for videos and approved games, without choosing a phone just for those activities; around 25% of consumers would put this flexible home use first. |
| Online gaming boundaries | Check game ratings, chat permissions and whether controls apply to an account or the whole console. | If online games are the main reason to buy, I need to understand who my child can play and communicate with; roughly 25% of consumers would make gaming boundaries their primary concern. |
| Portable communication | Confirm the intended phone supports the chosen child-account system and the communication settings you plan to use. | My child needs to communicate away from our main household screen, not just watch videos at home; about 19% of consumers would place that portable access first. |
| Family setup and supervision | Identify the adult managing the child account and check which device, store and service settings that person can control. | Before choosing hardware, I need a setup I can keep managing across apps, playtime and purchases; around 31% of consumers would prioritise that ongoing supervision. |
What is easy to overlook?
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Assuming a child-focused label includes the account setup you need
Apple, Google and console family controls have different account and adult-management requirements. The label on a device does not establish which settings your household can use.
Decide who will manage the device, then check the child-account and parent-device requirements for the specific system before buying.
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Assuming a games console removes online interaction risks
Ofcom identifies parents' concerns about strangers, violent content and bullying in online gaming. A game-focused device does not remove chat or multiplayer features.
Check the game's PEGI age rating alongside the account, chat and purchase settings you intend to use.
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Expecting one control to cover every player and service
Nintendo says Switch parental controls apply to the whole console, while PlayStation's controls are tied to accounts. Controls on a phone or tablet may also differ from those inside an app.
List the child's main video, gaming and communication services, and review device, account and service settings separately.
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Assuming purchase approval covers every spending route
Microsoft says Xbox purchase approval is not needed when existing currency or Xbox gift cards are used.
Review payment methods, stored balances and game-specific purchase settings as well as store approval.
Relevant brands and account systems
The useful distinction is how each system manages a child's account and settings. Check the particular device and services your household intends to use.
Apple
An iPhone or iPad route for households prepared to set up Family Sharing, a Child Account and Screen Time.
- Apple says Screen Time can manage supported apps, content, communication and device use from a parent or guardian's device.
- Family members need individual Apple Accounts; these settings do not establish what happens in every third-party service.
An Android-account route for households planning to supervise a child's Google Account through Family Link.
- Google says Family Link offers app and screen-time limits and content restrictions across specified Google services.
- Available controls depend on the device and service; confirm that the intended device supports your planned setup.
Nintendo
A Switch or Switch 2 route for gaming-first households using Nintendo's companion parental-controls app.
- Nintendo provides a smart-device app for managing linked console settings.
- Nintendo says Switch parental controls apply to the whole console, not separately to each player.
PlayStation
A console route for households prepared to use family management and a child account.
- PlayStation says its family settings cover supported content, communication, playtime and spending controls.
- The child must be added to the family; PlayStation also describes console passcode and guest-user settings for shared consoles.
Xbox
A console route for families wanting to manage gaming settings through the Xbox Family Settings app.
- Xbox says the app can manage supported screen-time, content, communication and multiplayer settings.
- Microsoft notes that some app features vary by locale and that purchase approval has exceptions for existing currency and gift cards.
Tablets for home video and games
These tablets are options to examine if home video and games lead your choice. Before choosing one, check whether its child-account and app settings will work with the supervision your household plans to use.
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HONOR X8A Kids tablet, 11-inch, Wi-Fi, 128GB, Space Grey
Consider this tablet for home video and games if its child-account arrangement fits the way your family plans to manage apps and use.
- 11-inch model with Wi-Fi and 128GB storage.
- Check how its Kids Mode works with your intended child account and whether the relevant app and communication settings can be managed.
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Alldocube Kido children's tablet, 8-inch, Android 15, blue case
Consider this tablet for home video and games if its child-account and management options suit your household.
- 8-inch model with Android 15, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage and a blue protective case.
- Check how Child Lock is managed and which of your intended apps and services it covers. The stated bundle does not include an adapter.
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TABWEE K8 Kids' Tablet, 7-inch, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
Consider this tablet for video and games where a 7-inch format suits the child's use, provided you can establish the supervision you need.
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and a 3.5 mm headphone jack are stated in the product name.
- Check child-account options, parental settings and support for your intended communication apps. The product description advises adult supervision and says it is not suitable for children under 3.
Common questions
Should my child use my account on a new tablet or phone?
Use a separate child account if you plan to use Apple or Google family controls. Apple says family members need individual Apple Accounts, with a Child Account in the family group; Google supervision is attached to the child's Google Account. Check settings within the child's apps as well as on the device.
Do parental controls work the same way on tablets, phones and consoles?
No: their scope depends on the platform, account and service. Nintendo says Switch controls apply to the whole console, whereas PlayStation ties parental controls to accounts. Check how the particular device and each intended game or app handle settings.
Will purchase approval stop every game or app purchase?
Not necessarily. Microsoft says Xbox approval is not needed when existing currency or Xbox gift cards are used. Review the account's payment methods, balances and in-game purchase settings alongside approval controls.
Does a PEGI rating show whether a game will be easy enough?
No. PEGI says its age rating concerns the suitability of game content, not difficulty. Consider the child's experience separately, and check the game's online communication features before allowing play.
Do controls replace conversations about online gaming?
No. Ofcom advises parents to check settings and talk regularly with children about games and contacts, particularly when online play involves people the child has not met offline. Device and account controls support those conversations; they are not a complete safety guarantee.