PRACTICAL GUIDE

Families.

Practical information based on scientific data to help children play safely.

Digital games are a natural part of growing up and of life. Play is the primary method through which children and teens, in particular, develop many of their skills, and digital games are no different in this regard. Rather than viewing games merely as entertainment or a way to pass the time, we should see them as one of the most crucial building blocks of the developmental process, just like school, learning, nutrition, and physical activity. If we focus children solely on school and learning while depriving them of play, we run the risk of raising individuals who are highly knowledgeable but lack the practical skills required to apply that knowledge. Conversely, children who only play games and fall behind in their education may become highly skilled, yet lack the foundational knowledge needed to put those skills to good use. The parent's role here is to strike a balance, much like maintaining a healthy diet.

When establishing this balance, it is important to choose age-appropriate games, understand the potential negative effects they can have, and avoid conflicts that could harm your relationship with your child. Therefore, just as families educate themselves about their children's educational and nutritional needs, they must also educate themselves about their need for play. Taking the right steps from an early age will help prevent potential future problems and ensure that our children gain the maximum benefit from games.

01 — Rules

The Five Rules

Check the age rating before buying or downloading.

Every game has an age rating. The Apple App Store and Steam evaluate games using their own systems, while every game on other platforms carries a PEGI rating. If you cannot find a rating on a game's page, this is a bad sign, and you should generally keep these games away from children. An age rating reflects what age and above a game is suitable for, as well as content to watch out for, such as violence, language, gambling mechanics, online interactions, and the like. Before buying or downloading any game for your child, check the rating and look at the description labels. Once you get used to it, you can understand these simple indicators at a glance. Do not give your child under 18 permission to play a game without doing this check.

Set up parental controls once, correctly.

Every major console, gaming platform, computer, and mobile operating system has built-in parental control tools. First, research and apply these controls for each device your child uses. You can find our guide for the popular ones further down this page. Device controls manage both the content your child can access and how long—and during what hours—they can use the device. Since time limits are missing from most games and platforms, this restriction must be set at the device level. Next, implement the parental controls for the game and app platforms or stores your child will use. Do not allow them to access content outside of these controlled platforms. Within the stores, you can prevent access to age-inappropriate content and restrict purchases and in-game spending. Ideally, your child should ask for your permission before making any purchase or in-game transaction; however, if mutual trust has been established, you can also opt for a fixed and regular allowance system.

Talk about who they are playing with.

Online multiplayer games mean playing and communicating with strangers. The vast majority of games aimed at ages 12 and over feature voice or text chat; in many of them, children can receive messages, friend requests, or game invitations from people they do not know. Regularly ask your child who they are playing with, and try to learn about their gaming friends. Ideally, children should play digital games with friends from their own school and social circle. Forming a completely different friend group in the digital world makes it difficult for you to monitor their social relationships. When such a situation occurs, talk to your child about why they are playing with others instead of their close circle. This could also indicate difficulties they are experiencing in their own social environment. It is important that you have open conversations about whether they are communicating with people outside their real-life social circle and how these interactions make them feel.

Help your child develop a gaming culture.

For a child to benefit from games and develop their skills through them, they need to play a variety of different games. Children who get stuck on a single game just because it is popular are merely killing time. Think of it like nutrition: a child who only eats hamburgers cannot thrive; a child who eats a variety of fast food might be slightly better off, but they still aren't healthy. Our goal is for our children to get their nourishment from all food groups. Playing different types of games is the most important defense mechanism to protect your child from behavioral gaming addiction. Strategy, puzzle, role-playing, and adventure games are effective in helping children develop mental skills. Action, sports, and platform games improve reflexes and split-second decision-making abilities. Multiplayer and co-op games, on the other hand, help them learn teamwork. Try to play games from all of these genres with your child.

Manage and share game time together.

Arguments about gaming are usually about time, rather than the content of the games. The 'you've been in front of the screen for three hours' conflict is much more common than the 'this game's content is inappropriate' argument. Set clear and consistent expectations regarding when and for how long they can play; contrast school nights with weekends, and before doing homework with after. Set the rules in advance, not in the heat of the moment. Rules made in the moment, when someone is already upset, rarely stick. When determining the schedule, set aside times when you can play games together. During these hours, try out new games that you have selected together. Accompany and watch them in the games they play frequently. Watching games is enjoyable; as you get used to it, you will start to enjoy it too. 'The most direct way to understand what a game contains is to sit next to your child and watch or play for twenty minutes. No review or rating system can replace this. You don't need to be a gamer. Just observing the environment, the pace, and the communication is enough. This also shows your child that their interests matter to you, which makes every subsequent conversation about gaming much easier.

02 — FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does violence in games push children toward violence?

Short answer: no, at least research doesn't say so.

This is one of the most heavily studied areas in psychology. When major institutions, led by the American Psychological Association, reviewed decades of data, they found no evidence that violent games cause violent behavior in real life. Some studies have observed short-term increases in aggressive thoughts after play, but this effect is very similar to what watching a football match produces, and it does not translate into actual violent behavior.

The real issue is context, not content. A child who plays a violent game and then goes on with their day is different from a child showing ongoing aggression, withdrawal, or restlessness. In the second case it makes sense to look at gaming habits, but the game is not the cause; it is a symptom of an underlying problem.

The fact that games don't drive violence doesn't mean we can ignore age ratings. 18+ games in particular are designed for adults: not just violence, but emotional intensity and moral grey areas, themes a young child is not yet equipped to understand.

What's the harm in playing a game that isn't age-appropriate?

It depends on the game and the age. PEGI age limits aren't arbitrary; each one corresponds to specific content thresholds.

A 12+ game may contain mild violence, horror elements, or coarse language that a seven-year-old isn't developmentally ready to process. A 16+ game brings stronger violence, profanity, sexual themes, and depictions of drugs and alcohol. 18+ games are calibrated entirely for adults; they include disturbing, morally complex material, or content a child cannot contextualize.

At very young ages, fear is something to watch out for even more carefully than violence. Frightening content encountered early in life can affect a child's development and leave marks that last a lifetime. Extreme cases can even cause trauma. After age 12 a family may use age ratings as a guide and set their own limits, but up to that age much more caution is needed.

The other risk is repeated exposure: things starting to feel normal to a child who doesn't yet have the framework to make sense of them. Desensitization to violence, getting used to chance-based mechanics, encountering content that might disturb them without any reference point. So it makes sense to limit screen time, and if you decide to be flexible about content, to do that within an even narrower window and with the rest of the family around. If you aren't going to put these kinds of controls in place, sticking strictly to age ratings is the better choice.

My child wants an 18+ game and says "everyone plays it." What do I do?

First, check whether "everyone plays it" is actually true. This is a classic negotiating tactic; sometimes true, sometimes not. If it really is true, that tells you not that the game is age-appropriate, but that age limits are weakly enforced in the households around your child's social circle. Keep in mind that other families' poor practices will inevitably affect your ability to protect your own child from inappropriate content. Don't hesitate to point other families toward the right resources or raise the issue with them when needed.

Then look at the game itself. An 18+ label can be given for very different reasons: sustained graphic violence, sexual content, gambling mechanics, or simply dark and adult themes. Read the PEGI content descriptors, don't just look at the number. Watch ten minutes of gameplay on YouTube. That tells you more than any summary.

Having this information when you say no lets you communicate without hurting your child and lets you share the reasoning together. Explain what makes the game unsuitable: "This game is 18+ because of X, and I don't think it's right for your age" is a much better stance than "because I said so." Tell them you'll revisit the conversation at a certain age, that they're just not ready yet. That doesn't close the door, it just puts a timeline on it.

If you're going to say yes, make sure the gap between the rating and your decision isn't too wide. Letting a 12-year-old play an 18+ game because the family thinks it's fine is clearly irresponsible. If you're using that discretion for a smaller gap, set the conditions. Play it first yourself or watch gameplay. If there's unmoderated voice or text chat, you'll need to restrict the online side. Accept upfront that they may see and hear uncomfortable things in the game. Talking about those moments is always better than ignoring them.

Are games addictive? How do I tell if my child plays too much?

The World Health Organization added "gaming disorder" to ICD-11 in 2019. The definition is narrow: a pattern of gaming behavior severe enough to seriously disrupt daily life. Loss of control, taking priority over everything else, continuing despite clearly negative consequences. When the WHO introduced the definition, it also emphasized that this affects only a small minority of players.

That framing matters. Playing two hours a day isn't a disorder. Being absorbed by a game isn't a disorder. Pushing back when told "wrap it up" is also normal; the same is true for books, sports, and almost any engaging activity. The signs to actually watch for are these:

If sleep is being disrupted by gaming consistently, not occasionally. If school grades are dropping and the reason is time spent gaming. If offline friendships are fading because the child is choosing to spend all social time online. If stopping the game produces not disappointment but a serious outburst of anger. If gaming has become the only activity from which the child draws positive emotion. And if two or more of these patterns have been going on for a few weeks, it's time to intervene.

A common pitfall here is that we don't always assess the child in the right setting. Your child may not put down a game or phone when they're in your social circle. If you visit friends and they don't engage with anyone, don't socialize with the host's children, that may simply mean they're bored in your social environment. A child has no obligation to enjoy the same friendships and settings as you do. When evaluating addictive behavior, observe your daily family life and how the child behaves in social environments they themselves enjoy.

There are three practical methods you can try to break addictive behavior: 1. Addiction is usually directed at a single specific game rather than at "playing games" in general. If your child keeps playing one game nonstop, you can ban that game and encourage them to move to different types of games. Once their behavior improves, you let them play that game only within set time slots and frequency. 2. Since this is a behavioral, not chemical, addiction, a break of about a week is usually enough to break the pattern completely. After a week away because of a holiday, travel, the device being unavailable, or exam week, your child will not return to the game with the same craving. 3. The reason behind the addiction may be that their close friends have started communicating primarily through one game. In that case, you may need to coordinate with the other families to redirect without damaging the child's social ties or causing them to be excluded from their group.

If these practical solutions don't work, if the child quickly transfers the addiction to other games, if they fall back into the same pattern right after a break and start gaming in isolation from their social circle, that points to a much deeper problem. Games are by nature less addictive than television and social media. If your child is highly prone to behavioral addiction, the underlying causes may be things they're hiding from you: academic failure, bullying, depression, traumatic experiences. In that case, get support from a professional psychologist experienced with the relevant age group. Don't dismiss it as "they're a kid, they play games" and continue with professional support until you reach the root cause of the problem.

What is PEGI, how does it work, and why should we trust it?

PEGI stands for Pan European Game Information. It's the age rating system used in 38 European countries including Turkiye. It's run by an independent organization under a code of conduct approved by national governments. In practice: every game sold in Europe carries a PEGI label on the box or store page (Apple and Steam are exceptions and use their own age ratings).

The system works on two layers. The first is age: 3, 7, 12, 16, 18. This number indicates the youngest age the content is suitable for. The second is content descriptors: the small icons next to the age number. These tell you why the rating was given at that level. There are descriptors for violence, profanity, fear, gambling, sexuality, drugs, discrimination, and online play. A 12+ game with only a violence icon is a completely different proposition from an 18+ game carrying both violence and gambling icons.

The process works like this: the publisher submits the game for rating and describes the content in a detailed form. PEGI verifies and assigns the label. After release, the system also operates on a complaint basis; if someone believes the rating is wrong and files a report, the decision is reviewed. The oversight mechanism covers more than 200 million families across Europe.

No system is perfect. PEGI cannot measure player behavior in unmoderated online chat. While the system has started covering new mechanics like loot boxes, this is still a new practice and may not have been applied to every game yet. Still, PEGI is reliable for understanding what's inside a game and is far more consistent than any review or another parent's recommendation. But remember that the age rating doesn't carry the full responsibility on its own; what matters most is the family observing the child's gaming behavior and the content itself.

My child is asking for money for in-game purchases and virtual currencies. How do I manage this?

In-game spending is one area where parental controls actually work. Before getting into the conversation about limits, block any purchases from happening without your approval. PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and nearly all mobile platforms allow you to require a PIN or approval for every transaction. That's the first thing to do.

Then set a spending policy. This can range from "no in-game spending at all" to a fixed monthly budget (as gift card or platform credit, not a linked bank card) to every purchase being approved by a parent individually. The right answer depends on the child's age and the household's general approach to money.

If your family's financial situation isn't strong, it's better not to go down this path at all and to discuss this openly with your child from the start. In-game spending is generally designed to make players spend small amounts continuously. A child picking up that habit can create financial strain over the long term.

It's important here to separate two different kinds of in-game spending so that both you and your child understand them clearly. 1. Buying progress or advantages: Skipping a wait timer, buying slow-accumulating resources in bulk, getting a hard-to-reach advantage (power-up, ability, etc.), or increasing loot box odds. These purchases are not permanent and can lead to unlimited spending. Your child can get used to paying money to skip steps they should be working through in the game. These purchases are also not permanent, they only provide an advantage for a few hours, and you have to keep making them to preserve the benefit. We recommend staying away from this kind of spending. This spending habit may suit a businessperson short on time and long on money, but for children and teenagers it's an unnecessary behavior that can be harmful financially and emotionally over the long term. 2. Buying game content: It can be acceptable for a child to buy permanent content for a game they play. For example, a costume they like for a game they play often, an expansion pack for a game they already bought, or a purchase that removes ads from a game. These are not recurring needs, and what they buy is permanent. Here it's important to talk clearly with your child about what's being bought and discuss whether it's permanent or recurring.

There are also a few things worth understanding about how in-game purchases work. A game may have a virtual currency like gems, gold, or credits. This is sometimes done to make the game's economy run more smoothly, and sometimes to obscure the real value of what's being sold. The game doesn't say "spend 50 TL"; it sells you 500 gems, and you then spend those gems on items. This structure makes it harder to track actual spending and can prevent the child from understanding what they're actually paying. When you talk to your child, always state the real money equivalent. If your child wants to buy in-game currency, also discuss what they're going to spend it on.

What's a loot box or chest, and why should I be careful?

Loot boxes (chance-based rewards bought with real or virtual money) appear in games as either entertainment or a monetization tool. PEGI now flags them with a content descriptor. If a game makes most of its revenue through loot boxes, that should be a factor in deciding whether your child will play it.

A loot box, by its nature, is a mechanic that adds excitement and fun to a game and is essentially harmless. So if your child is opening chests in a game and getting excited about what comes out, there's no immediate reason to panic. In most games, a loot box or chest is a reward given to the player for their progress. It enriches the game by adding randomness.

But this feature can be used in bad faith and turned into a mechanic that drives players to spend large amounts of money. There are three very clear signs to watch out for and avoid:

1. The game asking for money to open the chest. If the player earns chests by playing and progressing, there's no problem. But if they're buying chests with money or spending money to open them, that's a bad pattern. Banning paid chest openings from the start is the better approach. Every game can still be enjoyed by staying away from paid chests. If opening that chest is somehow essential to enjoying the game, the right choice is to drop the game.

2. Highly desired content being hidden inside chests instead of sold directly. For example, there's a costume you want to use in the game, but instead of selling it to you directly, the game wants you to open chests and get it by luck. In that case you don't know how much you'll spend to get to that content. The right move is to treat it as a trap and refuse the content. If the game can't be played or enjoyed without that item, dropping the game is the right call.

3. Items pulled from chests being convertible to real money. If a player can open chests and then sell what comes out, treating money spent as an investment they'll later recoup with profit, this is no longer about playing a game. Games that push players in this direction fall into the gambling category, not digital games. If your child believes they'll earn money from playing, expresses or hopes for that, ban the game outright.

How do I set up parental controls without making the child feel watched?

How you present this matters as much as the tool itself. A parental control introduced as "I'm going to monitor you" feels like monitoring. The same control introduced as "a structure we agreed on together" feels like structure. Help them understand that this feature is a natural part of every gaming platform, that it applies to everyone, and that it's not a restriction targeted at them. Just as we don't travel in a car without a seatbelt, we don't play games without parental controls.

Before setting these up, talk about it directly and let them be there while you configure them. Frame it as: "I'm going to put some controls on your account. Let me walk you through what they do and why I'm setting them." Tell them what you can and can't see. Explain what each control does: age limits, spending limits, time management.

Children over ten can understand that different rules exist for different reasons. A spending PIN isn't really a matter of trust; it's also a safeguard against accidental or impulse purchases, and you can review them together. A chat restriction on their account isn't a punishment; it's a safeguard against unmoderated chat leaving them alone with strangers. Most children, when this is explained properly, can understand these controls and take them on as their own responsibility. This approach doesn't just protect them through system controls; it gives them the chance to learn the principles of safe play and responsible behavior.

Be careful to keep the trust relationship with your child intact and avoid covert monitoring. If you want to see which games they play or how long they play, tell them you can see it. Most platforms have an activity report inside the parental app. Open it together occasionally; rather than reacting in private to what you've seen, discuss it openly. A child who knows you can see things, and trusts that you won't use this to punish them, behaves very differently from a child who finds out they've been watched without their knowledge.

As the child grows, loosen the controls gradually and openly. The sentence "You're 14 now, I'm removing the chat restriction" is a moment that builds trust. A control silently removed has no such effect.

Is esports a real career? Should I support it?

Esports is a real industry. Professional players, coaches, analysts, event organizers, broadcasters, team managers, and content creators can all make a full-time living from it. But this doesn't mean it's a promising career path for children. The ratio of people earning a career from esports to the total gaming population is about 1 in 100,000, and the ratio of people earning meaningful money from it is less than 1 in 1,000,000.

Your child may see headlines about players winning millions of dollars in tournaments. They may dream of earning serious money doing the activity they love. But given the ratios above, this is almost certainly an empty hope, at 99.99% odds. It's no different from seeing a famous footballer's transfer news and wanting to become a professional footballer.

The biggest handicap of an esports career is that the window for peak ability is very narrow. To succeed in this field you have to be playing heavily from an early age, train extremely hard in your teens, and generally retire toward the end of your twenties. Because it requires very fast reflexes, succeeding at older ages is essentially impossible. You can compare it to how gymnastics is left behind at a young age due to the flexibility it demands. The follow-on careers available to retired players are also limited.

Even if your child is very talented and successful in this area, they still need to continue their education and have a permanent career goal. Young people who can't balance the two may find themselves with very few options once their professional gaming years are over.

Also, like any sports career started at a young age, the heavy training schedule, the pressure to perform, and the narrowing of social circles need to be managed with professional support.

If your child has this ambition and wants their favorite games to also be their career, you can redirect them toward game development and related fields instead of esports. The money earned globally by people who develop and sell games is roughly 1,000 times the money earned from esports.

My child watches other people play games on YouTube, Kick, and Twitch for hours. Is this a problem?

Gaming content is the biggest video category among children and teenagers worldwide. Before deciding whether it's a problem, you need to understand why they're watching. But generally, if your child spends more time watching a game than playing it themselves, talk to them about why.

People watch gaming content for several reasons: to learn a game they play, to follow a streamer they enjoy, to watch esports matches, to discover new games, or as background noise the way previous generations had the TV on. Most of these are at the same level of passivity as watching sports or a TV series.

Ask the same questions here that you'd ask of any kind of screen time. Is it interfering with sleep? Is it reducing physical activity and face-to-face social time? Is it the only thing they want to do? If the answers are no, the issue isn't time. If the answers are yes, the issue is total screen time, not the format being watched.

The content mechanism and quality vary widely across these platforms. Twitch and Kick have no parental controls and, because of their highly interactive nature, can be viewed as social media. Streamers on these platforms generally produce content aimed at adults. Profanity, smoking, and gambling-like behavior can appear in streams. For this reason, these platforms shouldn't be used by under-15s, and need to be approached carefully for 15 to 18 year olds.

YouTube, because it allows a child profile and offers certain controls through family accounts, is more appropriate for younger ages. But remember that YouTube runs an algorithm in the background, and that algorithm doesn't prioritize content suitable or beneficial for your child; it aims to keep your child watching videos for longer. Don't leave full responsibility for content selection to the platform.

Choosing the channels you want your child to follow together, deciding together which content they'll consume and which they should stay away from, matters. Remember that watching the same game for hours and days on end provides no benefit to them. Try to diversify their interests. If you don't teach them to be selective and to seek variety in their content choices, the algorithm will trap your child in the endless loop of a few popular games.

Make sure to research the effects of children owning a phone at very young ages. If you're going to let them use a tablet, seriously limit its communication features and apps, and disable all notifications. Use parental controls to set the hours and durations they can use it.

What's the right age to give a child their first console or gaming computer?

There's no universal answer to this, which is why it gets asked so often, and it depends on the child rather than the age.

For children aged 0 to 3, digital games are not appropriate.

For children aged 3 to 6, there are games specifically produced to benefit their cognitive development. They should play these specific games. But since this age group is still developing motor skills, the physical versions of these games are a better fit.

The 6 to 12 range is a suitable window for introducing children to digital games, but the decision should be made by the family based on the child's development. At this age the child isn't mature enough to select content, and content must be chosen by the family. The structure, content options, and ad elements of advanced operating system devices like computers, tablets, and mobile devices also make control and the overall experience harder. Instead, a console like the Nintendo Switch, which has far more limited features and a rich library of age-appropriate content, is more suitable. However, while the Switch hardware costs about the same as the alternatives, its game content is expensive. You need to factor in the cost of games when deciding whether it fits the family's budget. A cheap iPad with an Apple Arcade subscription is a more economical alternative. Apple Arcade is safe because it has no in-app purchases or ads. But you need to make sure that the other features of the device and games outside Arcade are inaccessible.

The 10 to 16 range is when a child can use complex devices like a computer to genuine benefit. But devices like computers and tablets should not be used only for gaming; the child should be encouraged to develop habits in schoolwork, areas of curiosity, scientific experimentation, culture, and coding. If the child shows no such curiosity, can't engage with these areas, and uses the computer or tablet only for gaming and watching, then it's the wrong device choice. In that case, giving the child a console like PlayStation or Xbox, which offers a better and more constrained experience, has stronger control mechanisms, and lower risks, is the healthier option. But again, remember that consoles have higher content costs, and you need to decide based on family economics, factoring in game prices.

The 15 to 18 range is when we gradually start lifting oversight and handing control over to the child. Let them start making the right choices for themselves and observe their habits, gaming time, social relationships, and whether they can establish a balance between life and games. Let them make the device and game purchase decisions and ask them to convince you the decision is the right one. This doesn't mean fully dropping parental controls and opening the system to unrestricted use; 18+ content should still be inaccessible to your child. This age is important for the child to develop and master computer skills. Children who arrive at university age without computer fluency may struggle with their studies. For this reason, moving them toward PC gaming can make it easier for them to develop themselves in this area.

How can I protect my child from gaming algorithms?

Contrary to common belief, games don't have an algorithm structure similar to what we see on social media or e-commerce sites. Games don't run algorithms in the background to surface content tailored to a player's interest. Games and gaming platforms don't collect data on your, your child's, or their users' personal information, gender, age, interests, or family status. To games, every user is just a user number.

Gaming platforms only recommend content similar to what you've previously played or bought. They don't make these recommendations based on gender, age, politics, or ethnic background.

The one exception to algorithms is the revenue prediction systems in free-to-play mobile games. This system observes a player's behavior to estimate whether they'll spend money in the future and, based on that prediction, may present an appealing offer at the right time. But this is not connected to the content of the game you're playing; it's just a campaign notice you see at the start of the game and can close and skip.

Could games push my child toward gambling?

There is no scientific finding linking gaming or gaming time to gambling habits. A very long-running, comprehensive study in Australia showed that children who grew up playing games had betting and gambling habits in their twenties that were no different from non-gamers. So you don't need to worry that gaming will lead your child toward gambling.

The real danger here is gambling mechanisms that dress themselves up as games. For example, virtual gambling apps on mobile stores, games that promise to pay out money to the player, or apps with investment claims like "çiftlik bank." In Turkiye these kinds of applications are illegal and are regularly blocked, and the chance of your child encountering such a game is very low.

The golden rule: make sure your child never falls into the ambition of earning money by playing games. No reasonable, real game distributes money or crypto assets to its players, and virtual items earned in a game cannot be exchanged between players for real money. If your child says they've found a game that does this and that they'll earn money by playing it, ban that game outright.

My child wants to get into game development. Is there a real career there?

The video game development industry is a giant sector. In Turkiye it's a priority area supported by the government, declared as a strategic national goal, and worth 200 billion dollars globally. It offers its employees more enjoyable and flexible working conditions, better benefits, and better pay than most other fields. It is one of Turkiye's fastest-growing technology sectors and a leading source of high-value-added exports. The sector has generated 25,000 qualified jobs, and more than 30 universities have opened game development programs. The sector also offers a fast and successful path to entrepreneurship, and all of the companies in Turkiye that have grown from founding to a billion-dollar valuation fastest are game companies. For these reasons, it is one of the most sought-after and dreamed-about career paths among young people.

But before making a decision, you have to be informed and realistic. While the gaming industry provides quality jobs, it's also known for generating very high revenue with very few employees. As a result, the number of positions it needs to fill is small. A large and successful game company employs roughly one tenth of the people that a company in automotive, medicine, or law with similar revenue would.

So while game development offers a very attractive career opportunity, finding a job is not always easy in terms of open positions, and competition among candidates increases every year. While the future is very bright for the most successful in this field, those who can't catch the right opportunity must have alternative plans.

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03 — Guides

Platform Parental Control Guides

Step-by-step setup guides for every major console, PC storefront, and mobile platform.

Console Guides

PlayStation 5 - Console

What this covers

PlayStation 5 parental controls are managed through a child PSN account on the console and an adult Family Manager account. When the child's date of birth is entered, a PEGI age rating threshold is set automatically; games above that threshold are hidden and cannot be purchased. The PlayStation Family app makes all controls manageable remotely from a phone with real-time notifications. Because the PlayStation Store in Türkiye only accepts Turkish-issued cards and TRY-denominated PSN gift cards, keeping the child's spending budget under control is straightforward - load only the amount you want them to spend. PS5 parental controls provide the following protections: • PEGI age threshold - Games above the PEGI level you set for the child's age cannot launch without a PIN; you can grant individual exceptions for specific titles. • Playtime limits - Daily maximum duration and allowed hours can be set per day of the week; the console can force automatic logout when time runs out, and the child can request extra time from the parent. • Monthly spending limit - Default is 0 TRY; the child cannot purchase anything without parental permission, and the Family Manager receives an email notification for every purchase. • Communication settings - Voice chat, text messages, and party invites can each be restricted to everyone / friends only / no one. • User-generated content - Other players' screenshots, videos, broadcasts, and text posts can be restricted for viewing and sharing separately. • Store filter - The PlayStation Store shows only age-appropriate games in the child's view. • Web browser - The PS5's built-in browser can be blocked entirely for child accounts. • Account security - New PSN account creation and guest login on the console can be disabled to prevent the child from opening a second account to bypass restrictions; all system settings are protected by a 4-digit console PIN. • PlayStation Family app - Sony's official parental app for iOS and Android lets you see which game the child is playing in real time, approve or decline extra-time requests, review daily and weekly activity reports, and manage all restrictions remotely.

What it does not cover

PS5 web content filtering only covers the built-in browser. External media apps accessible through the console — Disney+, Netflix, YouTube — have their own parental control systems and are not governed by PS5 settings. Discord integration on PS5 is managed through Discord's own parental controls; Sony does not directly control it.

Setup video

Video pending verification

Step-by-step

Confirm your Family Manager account is ready. You need an adult PSN account that has been verified with a credit card to make PlayStation Store purchases. Sign in at account.playstation.com and confirm your account holds the Family Manager role. If not, assign it to your existing account.
Create a PSN account for your child. From the PS5 Home screen, go to Settings → Family and Parental Controls → Family Management. Select "Add Family Member" → "Add a Child." The console generates a QR code; scan it with your phone to open the web-based setup page. Enter the child's name and real date of birth — Sony uses this to set default restrictions. Create an email address and password for the child. A small credit card charge may be requested to verify you are an adult.
Verify the child account. A verification link is sent to the email address you provided. Click it to activate the account. The account then appears in the Family Management list.
Set the console PIN. Go to Settings → Family and Parental Controls → PS5 Console Restrictions and create a 4-digit PIN. Choose something the child cannot guess, and make it different from the console's login passcode.
Set content restrictions and the PEGI threshold. Go to Family Management → child's profile → Parental Controls → Content Restrictions. Enable "Filter Inappropriate Content." Under "Allow Content Suitable for Age," select the PEGI level matching the child's age. The PlayStation Turkiye official ratings page lists which console level corresponds to which PEGI range.
Configure playtime limits. Under Parental Controls → Playtime Settings, enable "Restrict Playtime." Set the time zone. For each day of the week, enter both the daily maximum duration and the allowed hours. Setting "When Play Time Ends" to "Log Out of PS5" enforces automatic logout when time runs out.
Set the monthly spending limit. Under Parental Controls → Spending, select "Change Limit" and set the child's maximum monthly spend in TRY. Leave this at 0 if you want to prevent all purchases. If you want to allow a capped budget, set the limit and load the equivalent amount as wallet credit rather than leaving a card on file.
Configure communication settings. Under Parental Controls → Communication and User-Generated Content, set voice chat, text messaging, and party invite permissions. For children under 12, setting all to "No One" is recommended.
Block the web browser. Under Content Restrictions, disable access to the built-in web browser.
Disable new user creation. Go to Settings → Family and Parental Controls → PS5 Console Restrictions and disable new user creation and guest login. This prevents the child from opening a second account to bypass restrictions.
Download the PlayStation Family app. Install the PlayStation Family app on your phone (iOS or Android). Sign in with your Family Manager account. All controls can be managed remotely from the app, and extra playtime requests can be approved or declined with a single tap.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

PlayStation 4 - Console

What this covers

PlayStation 4 parental controls work in two layers: console-wide PS4 System Restrictions and account-bound Family Management settings applied to the child's PSN account. The child's date of birth sets a PEGI age threshold automatically; games above that threshold cannot launch. The monthly spending limit defaults to 0 TRY; the child cannot buy anything without parental approval. The PlayStation Family app makes all controls manageable remotely from a phone with real-time notifications. Because the PlayStation Store in Türkiye only accepts Turkish-issued cards and TRY-denominated PSN gift cards, keeping the child's spending budget under control is straightforward. Important: the factory default PS4 system restriction passcode is 0000; change it immediately during setup. Unlike PS5, the child cannot send the parent a one-off exception request for a specific above-threshold game - the restriction is binary. PS4 parental controls provide the following protections: • PEGI age threshold - Games above the PEGI level you set for the child's age cannot launch without the system restriction passcode; unlike PS5, no one-off exception requests are possible. • Playtime limits - Daily maximum duration and allowed hours can be set per day of the week; the console can force automatic logout when time runs out, and the child can request extra time from the parent. • Monthly spending limit - Default is 0 TRY; the child cannot purchase anything without parental approval, and the Family Manager receives an email notification for every purchase. • Communication settings - Voice chat, text messages, and party invites can each be restricted to everyone / friends only / no one. • User-generated content - Other players' screenshots, videos, broadcasts, and text posts can be restricted for viewing and sharing separately. • Store filter - The PlayStation Store shows only age-appropriate games in the child's view. • Web browser - The PS4's built-in browser can be blocked entirely through System Restrictions; this is an important step for families with a PS4 since the browser gives unfiltered internet access. • Blu-ray and DVD age restriction - On models with a disc drive, the age level for physical Blu-ray and DVD playback can be set under System Restrictions. • Block new user creation - New PSN account creation and guest login on the console can be disabled to prevent the child from opening a second account to bypass restrictions. • Login passcode - A separate login passcode can be set for the child's PS4 profile, ensuring the child can only sign into their own account and cannot switch to the parent's profile. • PlayStation Family app - Sony's official parental app for iOS and Android lets you see what the child is playing in real time, approve or decline extra-time requests, review activity reports, and manage all restrictions remotely.

What it does not cover

Child-initiated exception request for a specific above-threshold game: on PS5, the child can ask the parent for single-title permission; on PS4 this request flow does not exist — the restriction is binary (all-or-nothing per threshold). Preset age-group restriction profiles (Child, Early Teen, Late Teen) visible in the PS5 interface are not available on PS4.

Setup video

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Step-by-step

Confirm your Family Manager account is ready. You need an adult PSN account verified with a credit card. Sign in at account.playstation.com and confirm your account is in the Family Manager role.
Create a PSN account for your child. On the PS4 home screen, go to Settings → Parental Controls/Family Management → Family Management. Enter your PSN password. Select "Add Family Member" → "Add a Child." Enter the child's name and real date of birth — Sony uses this for default restrictions. Create an email address and password for the child. A small credit card charge may be requested to verify your identity as an adult.
Verify the child account by email. A verification link is sent to the provided address. Click it to activate the account.
Change the system restriction passcode. Go to Settings → Parental Controls/Family Management → PS4 System Restrictions. Enter the current passcode (default: 0000). Select "Change System Restriction Passcode" and set a new 4-digit code your child cannot guess. Keep it different from any code the child might know.
Disable new user creation and guest login. Still in PS4 System Restrictions, set "New User Creation and Guest Login" to "Not Allowed." This prevents the child from creating a fresh account to bypass restrictions.
Block the web browser. In PS4 System Restrictions, set "Use of Internet Browser" to "Not Allowed."
Set content restrictions for the child's account. Go to Family Management → child's name → Parental Controls. Set the PEGI level for games to the appropriate threshold for the child's age.
Configure playtime limits. Go to Family Management → child's name → Playtime Settings. Enable "Restrict Playtime." Set the time zone. For each day of the week, enter the daily maximum duration and the allowed hours. Setting "When Play Time Ends" to "Log Out of PS4" forces automatic logout when time runs out.
Set the monthly spending limit. Under Family Management → child's name, find "Monthly Spending Limit" and configure it. The default is 0 — leave it there if you want to prevent all purchases, or set a TRY amount if you want a controlled budget.
Configure communication settings. Under Family Management → child's name → Communication and User-Generated Content, set voice chat, text messaging, and party invite permissions. For children under 12, setting all to "No One" is recommended.
Add a login passcode to the child's profile. Sign in to the child's PS4 user account → Settings → Login Settings → Login Passcode Management. Create a 4-digit passcode. This ensures the child can only access their own profile and cannot switch to the parent's account.
Download the PlayStation Family app. Install the PlayStation Family app on your phone (iOS or Android). Sign in with your Family Manager account. All the above controls can be managed remotely, and extra playtime requests can be approved or denied from a single notification.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Nintendo Switch 2 - Console / Handheld (hybrid)

What this covers

Nintendo Switch 2 parental controls apply to the entire console, not individual user accounts - everyone who uses that device is subject to the same restrictions, so settings should reflect the youngest player in the household. Basic content restrictions and communication limits can be set directly on the console, but playtime limits, bedtime schedules, activity reports, and GameChat management require the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone. GameChat (Switch 2's voice and video chat feature) cannot be used at all by children under 16 until a parent configures it through the app. Türkiye has no official Nintendo eShop, so most local users register their Nintendo Account to a European country; parental controls are unaffected by this and work normally regardless of the account region. Nintendo Switch 2 parental controls provide the following protections: • Content restrictions - A preset (Young Child / Child / Teen) or a custom PEGI threshold is selected; games above the threshold cannot launch without the PIN. Specific games can be added to a safelist so they always run without the PIN. • Playtime limits - Daily caps from 15 minutes to 6 hours can be set per day of the week; when time runs out the game pauses and the child can request extra time through the app. • Bedtime schedule - The console becomes unusable after a set time each night (e.g. 9 PM-7 AM). • GameChat management (Switch 2 exclusive) - Children under 16 cannot start GameChat until the parent configures it through the app; the parent controls which friends the child can chat with (approved contacts only), whether video chat requires per-session approval, the camera field of view (Face Only, Focused View, or Full Camera), and reviews the child's GameChat history. • In-game communication restriction - Voice and text communication with other players can be restricted globally or per game to unrestricted / friends only / no one. • Social media sharing - Sharing screenshots and videos from the console can be blocked; Nintendo accounts under 13 already cannot share to social media regardless of this setting. • eShop purchase restrictions - Managed through accounts.nintendo.com on the child's Nintendo Account; the parent can block all purchases, require a PIN, or restrict content visibility by age. • Friend suggestions - Whether unknown users can send friend suggestions to the child is controlled through Nintendo Account settings. • Activity reports - Monthly summaries showing which games were played and for how long are viewable through the app. • Console PIN - A 4-digit PIN protects all parental control settings; the child cannot change or bypass restrictions without it. • Multi-console support - Up to 8 consoles can be linked to a single Parental Controls app, useful for households with multiple Switch or Switch 2 systems.

What it does not cover

Nintendo Switch 2 cannot monitor or filter the content of in-game chat — only whether chat can be initiated is controlled. Media apps like YouTube or Netflix accessible on the console have their own parental control systems; the Switch parental controls system cannot manage them directly.

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Step-by-step

Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Install the free "Nintendo Switch Parental Controls" app on your smartphone (iOS or Android). If you don't already have a Nintendo Account, create one at accounts.nintendo.com.
Open the app and link it to the console. In the app, select "Link a Nintendo Switch console." On the Switch 2, go to Home screen → System Settings → Parental Controls → Parental Controls Settings. Select "I've Downloaded the App." A 6-digit registration code appears on the console. Enter it into the app.
Choose a restriction level. After linking, the app prompts you to select an age restriction level. Choose from Young Child, Child, or Teen, or select "Custom Settings" to configure each option individually.
Set your PIN. The app asks you to set a 4-digit PIN to protect the parental controls. Choose something your child cannot guess. This PIN will be needed any time a restriction needs to be bypassed or changed.
Set playtime limits. In the app, set a daily hour limit for each day of the week. This can only be done through the app, not from the console. Set a Bedtime to define when the console becomes unusable each night.
Configure GameChat settings (Switch 2 specific). If your child is under 16, GameChat setup is mandatory — they cannot use it without you completing this step. In the app, find the "GameChat" section. Select the child's user profile. Choose which friends they can chat with (approved only). Decide whether video chat requires per-session approval. Set the camera field of view (Face Only, Focused View, or Full Camera).
Set eShop purchase restrictions. On your phone or computer, go to accounts.nintendo.com. Sign in with your Nintendo Account. Select the child's account. Under "Parent/Guardian Restrictions," restrict eShop purchases or require a PIN. This step is separate from the app and must be done from a browser.
Restrict social media sharing. In the app or on the console under Parental Controls Settings, set "Posting Screenshots/Videos to Social Media" to "Restrict."
Restrict in-game communication. In the app or on the console, set "In-Game Communication with Others" to the appropriate level for your child's age. No One is recommended for children under 10.
Add games to the safelist (optional). If there is a specific game above the age threshold you want to allow, add it to the safelist in the app. That game will run without a PIN, while all other restrictions (including playtime limits) still apply.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Xbox Series X|S - Console

What this covers

Xbox Series X|S parental controls run through two linked systems on the same child Microsoft account. The Xbox Family Settings app handles Xbox-specific controls: online privacy, voice and text chat, multiplayer access, friend requests, and content age filtering. Microsoft Family Safety at family.microsoft.com handles screen time limits, Microsoft Store purchase approval, spending caps, and web filtering. Every purchase attempt sends a notification to the parent; nothing completes without approval. The console's Signed-Out Content Restrictions setting adds a useful extra layer by capping what anyone can see even without signing in. In Türkiye, the Microsoft Store prices in TRY and accepts Turkish-issued cards and TRY Xbox gift cards. Third-party gaming platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store are outside this system's scope entirely and require their own separate parental control setup. Xbox Series X|S parental controls provide the following protections: • Content age filter - The child's date of birth sets an automatic PEGI threshold; games above the threshold are hidden from the child's account and cannot be downloaded. The parent can adjust the threshold at family.microsoft.com and individually approve or block specific titles regardless of rating. • Purchase approval - Every purchase attempt on the Microsoft Store or Xbox sends an email and an in-app notification to the parent; nothing completes without approval. The parent can pre-load wallet credit and set a monthly spending cap. • Screen time and per-game limits - Daily caps and per-game time limits can be configured from family.microsoft.com; the child receives warnings before the limit runs out and can send extra-time requests to the parent. • Online multiplayer and communication - Online multiplayer access, cross-network play with users outside the Xbox network, voice chat, text messaging, and party/game/club invites can each be restricted to everyone / friends only / blocked. • Friends and clubs - Whether the child can add new Xbox friends, accept incoming friend requests, and join clubs is configurable. • Profile visibility and online status - Who can see the child's real name, gamertag, profile details, recently played games, and online status is adjustable. • Content sharing - Whether the child can share screenshots, video clips, and live streams, and who can see their content, can each be controlled separately. • Web content filtering - On Xbox's built-in Microsoft Edge browser, inappropriate sites can be blocked or only an approved list allowed; since Edge is the only browser on Xbox by default, this effectively covers all browsing on the console. • Signed-out content restrictions - A maximum content age level can be set on the console for anyone who uses it without signing into an account; this prevents the child from accessing content by bypassing their own profile when no one is supervising. • Passkey - A passkey or PIN can be set on the parent's own Xbox account, preventing anyone else who uses the console from accessing the parent's account to make purchases or change settings. • Activity reports - Weekly summaries of which games were played, for how long, websites visited, and purchase history are viewable at family.microsoft.com under the child's profile.

What it does not cover

Xbox parental controls do not cover third-party game clients such as Steam, Epic Games Store, or Battle.net. Games played through those platforms do not appear in Xbox activity reports and are not subject to Xbox content or spending controls. Media apps accessible on Xbox — Netflix, Disney+, YouTube — have their own parental control systems and are not governed by Xbox settings.

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Step-by-step

Create a Microsoft account for your child. Go to family.microsoft.com and select "Add a family member" → "Create an account for a child." Enter the child's name and real date of birth. This date is used for the content age filter.
Sign the child's account into the console. On the console, sign in with the child's Microsoft account. The console links the account to your family group. Confirm the child's account is set to Standard user rather than Administrator.
Download the Xbox Family Settings app. Install the Xbox Family Settings app on your smartphone (iOS or Android). Sign in with your parent Microsoft account. Select the child's name from your family group.
Configure Xbox privacy and online safety settings. In the Xbox Family Settings app, open the child's profile. Under Privacy & online safety, configure: Voice/text communication and invites — set to "Friends" or "Block" (for children under 12, "Block" is recommended); Multiplayer games — enable or disable based on the child's age; Cross-network play — disable if you want to limit play to Xbox network users only; Profile visibility — set real name and online status visibility to "Friends" or "Block"; Adding friends — limit to "Friends" or disable entirely.
Verify the content age filter. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Content restrictions, confirm "Filter inappropriate content" is toggled on and the PEGI threshold matches the child's age.
Enable purchase approval. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Spending tab, turn on "Require approval for every purchase." Optionally set a monthly spending cap or preload a specific balance.
Set screen time limits. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Screen time tab, set daily hour limits for weekdays and weekends. These limits apply across Xbox consoles and Windows PC.
Enable web content filtering. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Content restrictions → Web filtering, enable "Filter inappropriate websites."
Enable activity reporting. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Activity tab, turn on activity reporting. Without this, no game usage data will be collected.
Configure signed-out content restrictions. On the console: Xbox button → Profile & System → Settings → System → Signed-Out Content Restrictions. Set the maximum content level accessible to anyone not signed in.
Set a passkey on your own account. On the console: Settings → Account → Sign-in, security & passkey → Change my sign-in & security preferences → select "Ask for my passkey." This prevents someone from accessing your adult account on the console to make purchases or change settings.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

PC & Storefront Guides

Steam - PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), also accessible via Steam Deck (handheld) and mobile app

What this covers

Steam is the world's largest PC gaming storefront, and it offers a system called Steam Families to help parents manage their child's gaming. You create a separate Steam account for your child and add them to your family group. When the child wants to buy a game, they send you an approval request - you review and pay from your phone, so you never have to hand over your credit card. In Türkiye, prices display in Turkish Lira; if you prefer not to attach a credit card, Steam wallet codes let you cap the child's budget at a fixed amount. All settings are protected by a 4-digit PIN and managed through a Turkish-language interface. Steam Families provides the following protections: • Content access control - Games the child can play are selected one by one; titles shared in the family library are not automatically available, each must be explicitly approved. The adult can mark individual games as 'Private', removing them from the family library entirely so the child never sees them. • Store access restriction - Whether the child can browse the Steam Store is configurable; with store access disabled, the child cannot browse new games or attempt purchases. • Community and social restrictions - Steam Community (forums, workshop, profiles, group pages) and Friend Chat can be restricted independently; for younger ages this cuts off all contact with strangers. • Playtime limits - A daily hour cap and specific allowed time windows on specific days of the week can be set (e.g. 'weekdays 7 PM-9 PM, up to 2 hours; weekends 11 AM-10 PM, up to 4 hours'). When the limit is reached the game closes automatically. • Playtime reports - The adult account can view weekly reports showing how much time the child spent on each game. • Extra time and access requests - When playtime runs out or the child wants to access a restricted game, a request goes to the adult as a phone notification and can be approved or denied with a single tap. • Purchase requests - The child adds games to their cart and sends a payment request to a family adult; the adult approves and pays using their own payment method. Approved games go directly to the child's account, eliminating credit-card sharing or unauthorized purchases. • Account recovery - If the child account's password is forgotten, the adult account can initiate recovery directly. • PIN lock - Access to parental control settings and the ability to remove restrictions are protected by a 4-digit PIN; as long as the child doesn't know the PIN, they cannot modify their own restrictions.

What it does not cover

Steam does not offer chat content monitoring (reading or filtering messages), web browser blocking, or control over applications outside Steam. On Steam Deck, it's worth knowing that if a child switches to Desktop Mode, they can bypass Steam's parental controls; additional device-level measures are needed in that case (for example, setting up a separate user account on the Steam Deck).

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Step-by-step

Create a separate Steam account for your child. Even if they use the same computer, the child should not share the parent's account. Go to store.steampowered.com in a browser, click "Join Steam," and create a new account for your child. Enter the child's actual date of birth, as Steam uses this to hide certain age-restricted content.
Enable Steam Guard on both accounts. Joining Steam Families requires Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator to be active on both accounts. Download the Steam mobile app, sign in with your account, go to Settings and find the "Steam Guard" section, then enable the mobile authenticator. Do the same for your child's account.
Create a Steam Family from your adult account. Open the Steam client (Windows/Mac/Linux). Click your account name in the top right corner and select "Account Details." Find the "Family" section on that page. Click "Create a Family" and give it a name. You're automatically assigned the Adult role as the family organizer.
Invite your child to the family. In the same Family section, click "Invite Member." Select your child's account from your friends list, or generate a Friend Code and share it with them. When sending the invite, make sure to assign the "Child" role. This choice cannot be easily changed later.
Accept the invite from the child account. Sign into your child's account, open the notification from the top right, and click "Accept."
Open parental controls. Return to your adult account. In "Account Details" → "Family," click "Parental Controls" next to your child's name.
Select which games the child can access. Check the box next to each game the child is allowed to play. The full shared library across all family adults is listed. No games are enabled by default — you select them one by one.
Configure Store, Community, and Chat access. The same page has three separate toggle switches: Steam Store, Steam Community, and Friend Chat. Set each according to your child's age and maturity. For children under 12, turning all three off is recommended.
Set playtime limits. Open the "Playtime limits" section. Enter the maximum daily playtime (e.g., 2 hours). Optionally define different time windows for different days of the week (e.g., weekdays 6 PM–8 PM, weekends 11 AM–10 PM). When the limit is reached, the game closes.
Create your parental PIN. The system will ask you to set a 4-digit PIN to protect the parental control settings. Choose something your child won't guess but you won't forget. If you lose the PIN, it can be reset via the email address linked to your Steam account.
Install the Steam mobile app on your phone. To approve or deny your child's playtime extension and purchase requests from your phone, keep notifications enabled in the mobile app. You don't need to open the full app — requests can be handled directly from the notification.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Epic Games Store - PC (Windows, macOS), mobile (Android; iOS available in Europe only)

What this covers

The Epic Games Store is home to some of the most popular free-to-play games in the world, including Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys. If your child plays any of these, parental controls are managed through the child's own Epic account via the Parental Controls section at epicgames.com. Accounts created with a birth date under 13 are automatically placed in a restricted Cabined mode, disabling chat and purchases until you provide consent. All settings are protected by a 6-digit PIN. Important: Epic's controls only cover Epic's own payment system; V-Buck and other purchases made through PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch must be configured separately through each console's own parental control system. Epic Games Store parental controls provide the following protections: • Cabined Accounts - Under-13 accounts are automatically placed in restricted mode; voice and text chat, purchases, and some content stay disabled until parental consent is given. • Content rating filter - A maximum age rating threshold is set for the store; any game above that threshold requires the parental PIN to purchase or download. • Purchase PIN lock - All purchases through Epic's payment system require the PIN; the child cannot buy anything from the store or within a game without parental approval. • Daily spending limit - Under-13 accounts have an automatic daily spending cap of $100 USD equivalent (converted to local currency); applies across Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and the store. • Voice chat control - Voice chat can be set to everyone, Epic friends only, or completely off. • Text chat control - In-game text chat in Fortnite and other Epic titles can be turned off entirely or left open with the profanity filter enabled. • Friend request PIN lock - Adding a new friend or accepting an incoming friend request can require the PIN, blocking unsolicited contact from strangers. • Sign in with Epic control - Parental approval can be required the first time the child links their Epic account to a third-party game or application; each new application requires separate authorization. • Daily playtime limit - A daily maximum playtime can be set for supported Epic games; when the limit is reached, the game closes. • Daily email report - A daily summary email notifies the parent of any changes made to the child's account settings, making it easy to detect tampering attempts.

What it does not cover

Epic's parental controls only cover its own games and storefront. They do not affect purchases or content restrictions on console platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), which require separate platform-level parental controls. Epic also cannot control web browser access or applications outside the Epic ecosystem.

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Step-by-step

Create an Epic Games account for your child. Go to epicgames.com in a browser and click "Create Account." Enter the child's real date of birth. If the date is under 13, the system automatically places the account in Cabined mode and asks for a parent email address during registration.
Respond to the parental consent email. Epic sends a consent link to the parent email address entered during registration. Click the link to confirm you are an adult and proceed to parental controls setup. Until this step is done, the child's account remains fully in Cabined mode.
Sign in to the Epic Account Portal. Go to epicgames.com in a browser and sign in with the child's account. From the menu on the left, navigate to "Account" then "Parental Controls." Alternatively, from within the Fortnite launcher, go to the player icon in the top right, then the Menu icon in the lower left, then "Parental Controls."
Create a 6-digit PIN. The system prompts you to set a PIN to protect the parental control settings. Choose six digits your child won't guess but you won't forget. This PIN will be required for every future change. If you lose it, a reset link can be sent to the registered parent email.
Set the content rating threshold. Under "Rating System," select the maximum content age the child can access without entering the PIN. Whether PEGI or ESRB appears depends on your region. For example, choosing PEGI 7 means the child cannot acquire PEGI 12 or higher games without the PIN. Since Fortnite is rated ESRB T (Teen), set the threshold to at least "Teen" if you want the child to access Battle Royale mode without requiring the PIN each time.
Enable the purchase PIN lock. Activate "Epic Games Payment." From this point on, all real-money purchases through the store or in-game require the PIN. This prevents unauthorized spending entirely.
Configure voice and text chat settings. Under "Voice Chat" and "Text Chat," select who the child can communicate with. For younger children, turning both off or limiting to Epic friends only is recommended. The friend request PIN lock can also be enabled here.
Set the daily playtime limit. Under "Daily Playtime," enter the maximum number of hours per day for supported Epic games. The game will close when the limit is reached.
Configure Sign in with Epic permissions. Enabling this setting means the child will need your approval the first time they connect their Epic account to any third-party app or game.
Enable the daily email report. Turn on the daily summary notification to be informed of any account changes. This option is on the same Parental Controls page.
Save all settings. Changes take effect immediately across all supported Epic games and the storefront. Settings can be updated at any time from the desktop launcher, mobile app, or web browser; every change requires the PIN.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Windows PC - PC (desktop and laptop)

What this covers

Windows PC parental controls run through Microsoft Family Safety. You create a separate Microsoft account for your child, set up a family group under your own account, and link the child's PC to that group. From there, family.microsoft.com or the Family Safety mobile app on your phone lets you control the Microsoft Store age threshold, daily screen time, purchase approvals, and weekly activity reports. Make sure the child's Windows account is set to Standard user rather than Administrator; admin rights would let them modify or bypass most of these settings. Important limitations: web content filtering only works in Microsoft Edge - the filters do not apply in Chrome or Firefox; third-party game platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net are outside this system's scope and need their own separate parental controls. Microsoft Family Safety provides the following protections: • Content age filter (Microsoft Store and Xbox) - The child's date of birth sets an automatic age threshold; apps, games, movies, and music above that threshold are hidden from the child's account and cannot be downloaded. The parent can adjust the threshold manually or individually approve or block specific content. • Purchase approval - Every purchase attempt on the Microsoft Store or Xbox sends a notification to the parent and cannot complete without approval; the parent can pre-load a balance into the child's account and define a monthly spending cap. • Screen time limits - A daily total device usage cap and day-specific schedules can be configured; the child receives warnings before the limit is reached and can send extra-time requests to the parent. Screen time can be unified across Windows PCs and Xbox consoles under a single shared schedule. • Per-app and per-game time limits - Daily caps can be set for specific applications (e.g. games limited to 1 hour, browser to 2 hours); limits can vary by day of the week. • Web content filtering (Microsoft Edge only) - Inappropriate sites are filtered or browsing is limited to approved sites only, with Bing SafeSearch enforced; when active, attempts to open Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers on the child's account are redirected back to Edge. • Microsoft Edge Kids Mode - Locks Edge to an allow list of approved sites, sets Bing SafeSearch to its strictest level, and clears all cookies and site data when the browser is closed; offers 5-8 and 9-12 age groups, and exiting requires the device password. • Activity reports - Weekly summaries of which apps were used, for how long, and which websites were visited are delivered by email and through the Family Safety mobile app; activity reporting must be explicitly enabled. • Location sharing - The Family Safety mobile app displays family members' locations on a map. • Account management - The parent can reset the child's Microsoft account password and edit account information.

What it does not cover

Web filtering only works in Microsoft Edge. Blocking Chrome or Firefox outright is possible but determined children may find workarounds. Family Safety does not cover third-party game clients (Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net) — these platforms require their own separate parental control setup. macOS computers are outside this system's scope; only partial web filtering applies if Edge is installed on a Mac.

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Step-by-step

Create a Microsoft account for the parent (if you don't have one). Go to account.microsoft.com and create a free account. An existing Outlook or Xbox account works.
Create a separate Microsoft account for your child. Go to account.microsoft.com → Family → Add a family member → "Create an account for a child." Enter the child's name and real date of birth. This date is used for the content age filter. A child Outlook email address is created during this process.
Sign in with the child's account on their PC. In Windows Settings → Accounts → Family & other users → Add a family member, or by signing in directly on the child's PC, link the account to the device. The child's account must be a Standard user, not Administrator. Keeping admin rights away from the child prevents them from changing system settings.
Enable activity reporting. Go to family.microsoft.com, click the child's profile, and turn on activity reporting under the Activity tab. Without this enabled, you will not see which apps are being used.
Verify and set the content age filter. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Content restrictions → Apps, games & media, check the maximum allowed age rating. The system automatically sets a threshold from the date of birth; you can manually adjust it. Make sure "Filter inappropriate content" is toggled on.
Enable purchase approval. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Spending tab, turn on "Require approval for purchases." You can also set a monthly spending cap or load a specific balance into the child's account in advance.
Enable web content filtering. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Content restrictions → Web filtering, enable "Filter inappropriate websites." Optionally switch to "Only allowed websites" mode. Approved or blocked sites can be managed from the same page.
Set screen time limits. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Screen time tab, set daily hour limits for weekdays and weekends separately. Different schedules can be defined per device type (Windows, Xbox), or a unified schedule can be applied across all devices.
Add per-app time limits. From the activity list in the Screen time tab, select specific apps and assign individual daily limits.
Configure Edge Kids Mode (optional, especially for younger children). On the child's PC, open Microsoft Edge → click the profile icon in the top right → select "Browse in Kids Mode" → choose the age range (5-8 or 9-12). Verify that exiting the mode requires the device password.
Download the Microsoft Family Safety mobile app. Install Family Safety on your phone (iOS or Android). Enable notifications so you can approve or deny extra time and purchase requests from your phone.
Confirm the child's account is not set as Administrator. On the child's PC, go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users and verify the child's account shows "Standard user." If it shows "Administrator," change the account type.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Microsoft Store & Xbox App - PC (Windows 10 and Windows 11)

What this covers

The Microsoft Store and Xbox app on Windows PC offer two linked but distinct layers of parental control. Store-side controls - age-based content filtering and purchase approval - are managed at family.microsoft.com through Microsoft Family Safety; the child cannot buy or download content above their age threshold, and every purchase triggers a notification to the parent. Xbox app controls cover online multiplayer access, voice and text chat, friend requests, and profile visibility; these are configured through the Xbox Family Settings app. Important: for either layer to work, the child must sign into Windows, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app all with the same Microsoft account - mismatched accounts are the single most common reason parental controls fail on PC. Third-party platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store are entirely outside this system's scope. Microsoft Store and Xbox app parental controls provide the following protections: • Age-based content filter (Microsoft Store) - The child's date of birth sets an automatic PEGI threshold; apps and games above the threshold are hidden, cannot be downloaded, and cannot be purchased. The parent can adjust the threshold manually and approve or block specific titles regardless of rating. • Purchase approval - Every purchase attempt on the Microsoft Store or Xbox sends an email and an in-app notification to the parent; nothing completes without approval. The parent can pre-load a balance and set a monthly spending cap, but content above the age threshold still requires approval even with a preloaded balance. • Individual title allow or block list - Regardless of the age threshold, specific games or apps can be permanently blocked or added to an 'Always Allowed' list. • Multiplayer access (Xbox) - Online multiplayer can be set to everyone, friends only, or blocked entirely; applies to both Xbox consoles and the Xbox app on Windows PC. • Cross-network play - Whether the child can play with users outside the Xbox network (for example, Steam players in cross-platform games) can be controlled separately. • Voice and text chat - Communication over the Xbox network can be restricted to everyone, friends only, or blocked entirely. • Friend requests - Whether the child can send or accept Xbox friend requests is configurable. • Profile visibility - Who can see the child's real name, gamertag, and online status is adjustable; restricting to friends only is recommended for younger players. • Clubs and broadcasting - Whether the child can join Xbox clubs or broadcast their gameplay can be individually restricted. • Screen time and per-game limits - Daily screen time and app-specific limits set in Family Safety apply to the Xbox app as well; a unified schedule can span Windows PCs and Xbox consoles, and per-game daily caps can be set individually. • Activity reports - Which apps were downloaded, the full purchase history, and how long each game was played appear in the weekly Family Safety activity report.

What it does not cover

Xbox app parental controls only cover games running through the Xbox network. Third-party game clients — Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net — are entirely outside this system's scope. In-game chat content within Xbox app games cannot be read or filtered; only the Xbox network communication channels (voice chat, text messages) can be restricted.

Setup video

Video pending verification

Step-by-step

Confirm the child's Microsoft account is in your family group. Go to family.microsoft.com and verify the child's profile appears in the list. If not, select "Add a family member" → "Create an account for a child."
Verify account consistency across Windows, Store, and Xbox app. On the child's PC, go to Windows Settings → Accounts to see which Microsoft account is signed in. Open the Microsoft Store and confirm the same account appears in the top right. Open the Xbox app and do the same check. If different accounts appear anywhere, sign out and back in with the correct child account.
Set the Microsoft Store age filter. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Content restrictions → Apps, games & media, confirm "Filter inappropriate content" is toggled on. Review the maximum allowed PEGI threshold and adjust if needed.
Enable purchase approval. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Spending, turn on "Require approval for every purchase." Optionally set a monthly spending cap or preload a specific balance into the child's account.
Configure Xbox network privacy and online safety settings. The Xbox Family Settings app (iOS or Android) is the most practical tool for this. Download it, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select the child's profile. Under "Privacy & online safety," configure the following: Multiplayer games: choose "Everyone," "Friends only," or "Block." For children under 12, "Friends only" or "Block" is recommended. Voice communication: set separately using the same options. Text messaging: restrict independently. Adding friends: limit to "Friends only" or disable. Profile visibility: set real name and online status visibility to "Friends only." Cross-network play: disable if you want to limit play to Xbox network users only.
Set screen time limits. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Screen time, set daily hour limits for weekdays and weekends. "Use one schedule for all devices" unifies limits across Windows PC and Xbox consoles.
Add per-game time limits (optional). The activity list shows which games the child plays. Select a specific game and set a daily limit if needed.
Enable activity reporting. At family.microsoft.com → child's profile → Activity tab, turn on activity reporting. Without this enabled, no game usage data will be visible.
Enable notifications in the Xbox Family Settings app. Ensure notifications are on for friend requests, purchase requests, and screen time extension requests. These can be approved or denied directly from the notification on your phone.
Manually approve or block individual titles as needed. For a game above the age threshold that you find appropriate, add it to the "Always Allowed" list at family.microsoft.com → Content restrictions. For a game below the threshold that you want blocked, add it to the blocked list.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Mobile Guides

iOS & App Store - Mobile (iPhone, iPad)

What this covers

Parental controls on iPhone and iPad run through two systems: Family Sharing and Screen Time. You create a separate Apple Account for your child and add them to your family group from your own phone; from that point everything is managed remotely from your own device without touching theirs. The Ask to Buy feature means any app download - including free ones - triggers a notification on your phone, and nothing installs until you approve. All settings are protected by a separate Screen Time passcode. Important: if your child knows their own Apple ID password, they can reset the Screen Time passcode through account recovery; the parent should manage the child's Apple ID password and not share it with the child. iOS parental controls provide the following protections: • Family Sharing - The parent's Apple account organizes a family group of up to six members; child accounts in the group open up to remote management, and under-13 children are automatically required to join a family group at account creation. • Ask to Buy - When the child tries to download an app or make a purchase, a notification goes to the parent's phone and nothing proceeds without approval; enabled by default on child accounts under 13. • App Limits - Daily time caps can be set for app categories like Games, Social Networking, or Entertainment; when the limit is reached the app closes, and the child can send an extra-time request to the parent's phone. • Downtime - During defined time windows (e.g. 9 PM-7 AM) all apps except those explicitly allowed become unavailable; essential functions like Phone and Messages can be kept open. • Content & Privacy Restrictions - App Store age threshold, separate age thresholds for movies / TV / music, website content filtering (block adult sites or approved sites only), app permissions for location / microphone / camera, and prevention of account or password changes are all granularly configurable. • Communication Limits - Who the child can contact via Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and iCloud contacts can be restricted; during Downtime, communication can be limited to specific approved contacts (e.g. family members only). • Communication Safety - Nudity in images sent or received through Messages, FaceTime, AirDrop, and supported third-party apps is detected, blurred, and a warning is shown to the child; analysis happens on-device and images are not sent to Apple. Enabled by default for all child accounts under 18. • Screen Distance - On devices with a TrueDepth camera, the system warns the child when the screen is held closer than 30 cm; aimed at reducing eye strain. • Screen Time Reports - Daily and weekly summaries showing which apps were used and for how long, notifications received, and device pickup counts, viewable from the parent's device. • Guided Access - Locks the device into a single app with the Home button, app switcher, and navigation disabled; useful for younger children. • Screen Time Passcode - All settings are protected by a separate 4 or 6-digit passcode that must be different from the device unlock code; the child must not know this passcode.

What it does not cover

Screen Time cannot read or filter content inside third-party apps like WhatsApp or Instagram. Content restrictions apply to Apple's own apps and a limited number of third-party integrations. Also, if a child knows the Apple ID password linked to the account, they can use Apple ID account recovery to reset the Screen Time passcode and remove all restrictions. Keeping the Apple ID password out of the child's reach is therefore critical.

Setup video

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Step-by-step

Create an Apple Account for your child. On your own iPhone, go to Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing → Set Up Family Sharing (or add a member to an existing family). Select "Create an Account for a Child." Enter the child's name and real date of birth. Apple automatically applies age-appropriate default restrictions based on this date. A parent Apple ID and a payment method are required to complete setup — this verifies that an adult is authorizing the account.
Sign in on the child's iPhone or iPad. Sign into the newly created account on the child's device. The device will be linked to the family group.
Enable Screen Time from your own device. Go to Settings → Screen Time. Under the Family section, you'll see your child's name. Tap it. From here, all Screen Time settings can be managed remotely from your phone.
Set a Screen Time passcode. When enabling Screen Time on the child's device, the system prompts you to set a Screen Time passcode. Choose 4 to 6 digits your child won't guess, and make sure it's different from the device unlock code. No restrictions can be changed without this passcode.
Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions. Go to Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle the switch on. This is the master lock for all the settings that follow.
Set the App Store age threshold. Under Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → Ratings For, select the maximum rating the child can access. For example, selecting 9+ means apps rated 13+ and above are hidden and cannot be downloaded. Since Ask to Buy is also active, every download attempt will require your approval on top of this threshold.
Verify Ask to Buy is active. Go to Family Sharing → your child's name → Ask to Buy and confirm it is enabled. It should be on by default for under-13 accounts, but it's worth checking after setup.
Configure web content restrictions. Under Content & Privacy Restrictions → Content Restrictions → Web Content, choose one of three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites (recommended for most families), or Allowed Websites Only (only sites you specify can be visited).
Set App Limits and Downtime. From Screen Time → App Limits → Add Limit, set daily hour caps for categories like Games or Social Networking. Under Downtime, set the hours when the device should go quiet, for example 9 PM to 7 AM on school nights.
Configure Communication Limits. Under Screen Time → Communication Limits, define who the child can contact during allowed hours and during Downtime. For younger children, restricting to contacts only (or contacts you approve) is recommended.
Verify Communication Safety is active. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Communication Safety and confirm the toggle is on. It should be enabled by default for accounts under 18.
Enable location sharing (optional). Through Family Sharing, you can view the child's location in real time via the Find My app. On the child's device, confirm that Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My is set to "Always."

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Android & Google Play - Mobile (Android phone and tablet)

What this covers

Android parental controls run through Google Family Link, a free app from Google. You create a separate Google account for your child, install Family Link on your own phone, and link the child's device to your account. From there you manage everything remotely without touching the child's device: Play Store age threshold, screen time, lock hours, device location, and more; every download attempt triggers a notification and nothing installs until you approve. When a child turns 13 Google offers them the option to exit Family Link supervision, so that transition is worth discussing ahead of time. Important: a factory reset on Android wipes all restrictions; the device lock-screen PIN must be active and the child's access to device settings should be limited. Family Link and Android parental controls provide the following protections: • Content rating filter (Google Play) - A maximum PEGI age threshold is set; apps and games above the threshold are hidden on the child's account. A separate age threshold can be set for movies and TV content. • App download approval - Every download attempt, including free apps, triggers a Family Link notification; nothing installs until parental approval. • App blocking - Apps already installed on the device can be blocked from launching or removed entirely through Family Link, including pre-installed apps such as Google Drive, YouTube, and Google Assistant. • Daily screen time limit - A total daily device usage cap is set; when the limit is reached the device locks, leaving only phone calls and apps on the 'Always Allowed' list active. • Downtime schedule - During defined time windows (e.g. 9 PM-7 AM) the device locks automatically; a separate school-hours lock schedule can also be configured. • Per-app time limits - Individual apps can have their own daily caps independently of the overall device limit (e.g. games limited to 1 hour, YouTube to 30 minutes). • Content filters (Chrome, Google Search, YouTube) - SafeSearch can be enforced on Google Search, Chrome can be restricted to block adult sites or limit browsing to approved sites only, and YouTube can be routed to the Kids app or set to restricted mode. • Location tracking - The child's device location is viewable in near real time on a map in the Family Link app; when offline, the last known location is shown. • Activity reports - Weekly reports showing which apps were used, for how long, and how often the device was unlocked are viewable in the parent's Family Link app. • Account management - The parent can reset the child's Google account password, edit account information, and delete the account if necessary. • Built-in Android controls - Settings → Parental Controls (Android 15 and later, August 2025 update) lets you configure basic screen time, downtime, and web filters protected by a PIN without installing Family Link; remote management and location tracking still require Family Link.

What it does not cover

Android parental controls cannot read or filter content inside third-party apps like WhatsApp or Instagram. Family Link controls only cover devices signed in to the supervised Google account. If the child creates a new account or performs a factory reset on the device, all restrictions are removed. Preventing factory reset access is therefore an important configuration step.

Setup video

Video pending verification

Step-by-step

Create a Google account for your child. On your own Android phone, download the Google Family Link app from the Play Store. Open it and tap "Get Started." Select "Create an account for your child." Enter the child's name and real date of birth. If the date is under 13, the system automatically designates the account as supervised under Family Link.
Set up the child's Gmail address and password. A Gmail address and password are created during setup. Keep these credentials — the child does not need to know them, and it's better if they don't.
Sign in on the child's device. On the child's Android device, sign in with the newly created Google account. During setup, the device will notify you that it will be managed by Family Link. Approve this.
Complete parent approval in the Family Link app. Your Family Link app will ask for your approval to link the child's device. Confirm. Once connected, the child's device appears in the Family Link dashboard.
Set the Google Play content age threshold. In the Family Link app, go to the child's name → Controls → Content restrictions → Google Play. Choose a PEGI threshold: PEGI 3, PEGI 7, PEGI 12, or PEGI 16. Movies and TV shows can be restricted separately.
Enable app download approval. In Family Link → Controls → Google Play, confirm that "Require approval for purchases" is turned on. With this active, all download requests including free apps trigger a notification to you.
Set screen time limits. Go to Family Link → child's name → Controls → Screen time → Daily limit. Set separate hour limits for weekdays and weekends. Under "Bedtime," configure the hours during which the device locks automatically.
Add per-app time limits. Under Screen time → App limits, set individual daily caps for specific apps such as games or social platforms.
Configure Chrome and Google Search filters. In Family Link → Controls → Content restrictions → Google Chrome, select "Approved sites only" or "Try to block explicit sites." Enable SafeSearch for Google Search.
Review installed apps and block any unsuitable ones. The Family Link dashboard lists all apps installed on the child's device. Any app you find inappropriate can be blocked from launching or removed through the app.
Enable location tracking. In Family Link → child's name → Location, toggle on "Show location." On the child's device, confirm that Settings → Location is enabled.
Restrict access to device settings. To prevent the child from changing accounts or performing a factory reset, ensure the device has a lock screen PIN that the child does not know, and that Family Link restrictions on account and settings changes are active.

Last verified: May 24, 2026

Game-Specific Guides

Guides coming soon - ship in a follow-up phase.

Families.

The Five Rules

Check the age rating before buying or downloading.

Set up parental controls once, correctly.

Talk about who they are playing with.

Help your child develop a gaming culture.

Manage and share game time together.

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