Guide · Gaming Console or PC for children: Parental controls at a glance Whether it is a console or a PC, separate accounts, restricted chats, PIN protection and clear play times can help parents support children and teenagers while they play.
22 October 2026 · 4 min read
By Redaktion familydevice
Which settings does a console or PC need so that children and teenagers can play safely? The device itself matters less than a clearly defined profile, restricted contacts and clear rules for chats, purchases and play time.
Console or PC: Where the difference lies
Evidence The USK parent guide for digital games recommends checking not only the age rating, but also online features such as chats, purchases and play time. [1] [1]
Our assessment On a console in the shared living room, it is usually easier to keep track of how it is used and when the session ends. A PC, on the other hand, can be used on the go, in rooms of their own or with other accounts. It follows that the device is not automatically safe; what matters is where it is kept, who has access and whether clear boundaries are in place.
Our advice If you have a choice, choose the device you can genuinely keep an eye on together. Set up a separate child profile on the console and a separate user account on the PC. On the PC, also check the browser, messenger apps and gaming platforms, because contacts and purchases can also happen outside the game.
The six safeguards to set up first
Evidence The USK age rating assesses the content of a game, while an additional note such as “In-game purchases” points to a specific feature. [2] [1] [1]
Our advice
Separate account: On a PC, set up a dedicated user account; on a console, set up a dedicated child profile. This keeps the parent account protected. Also check the settings in the game itself.Payments: Turn off purchases that you do not need. Where possible, use a PIN prompt or parental approval for payments, and do not link any payment details to the child account.Friendships: Restrict automatic friend requests. For 6–9-year-olds, limit contact to people they know personally.Chats: If the console, service or game allows it, turn off open group chats, voice chats and contact with random people. Have the child practice blocking and reporting an unwanted message.Play time: Set a time limit where available and give advance notice when the session ends. A visible countdown or an on-screen reminder can help the child prepare for the transition from playing to everyday life.Reporting and blocking: Check that the child and parents can block contacts, report players and track reports. In case of threats or blackmail, keep screenshots and any further messages. What 6–16-year-olds need at different ages
Our assessment Age is an important benchmark, but not the only one. Development, gaming behavior, the child's circle of friends and their ability to understand boundaries all affect the appropriate level of support.
Our advice
For 6–9-year-olds: Adults start the game and stay for the first session. Open chats and voice contact remain switched off, purchases are blocked, and the device is kept in a shared space.For 9–12-year-olds: A dedicated profile is the foundation. Contact requests and chats are limited, and purchases remain PIN-protected. Let the child practice using the reporting and blocking tools. Explain why certain features are switched off.For 12–16-year-olds: More independence makes sense, but it should not mean unrestricted access. Decide together which chats, contacts and communities to open up, how to handle purchases, and where the device may be used. Ask regularly about uncomfortable messages, people trying to contact them or problems with purchases. The initial setup check for a new console or PC
Our advice Go through the settings together while the child listens. Set up the profile, PIN protection, purchase rules, chat and contact limits, play time, and reporting and blocking features. Also agree on a clear signal for when play time is over and a calm routine for what comes next. Write the most important rules in a media use agreement instead of recording every technical setting. Check the settings again whenever a new game, chat or voice feature, new contacts or a more advanced account is added. If you are unsure whether a feature is right for your child's age, look through the manufacturer's current help pages and the USK parent guide together.
Transparency: This guide is published by the editorial team behind familydevice (ANTICIPATER GmbH), which develops a screen time app. That is why we visibly separate evidence, our assessment and advice, link every source in the original and recommend no products in the guide. How we work