Sony's PlayStation launches new app for parental controls
The launch marks an expansion of PlayStation’s existing parental control ecosystem, which already includes playtime limits and age restriction settings on the PS5 and PS4 consoles.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has launched PlayStation Family, a new mobile app designed to help parents manage and monitor their children’s gaming experiences on PlayStation.
The app is now available globally on both iOS and Android devices.
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The launch marks an expansion of PlayStation’s existing parental control ecosystem, which already includes playtime limits and age restriction settings on the PS5 and PS4 consoles.
With PlayStation Family, these tools are now accessible from a parent’s smartphone, making it easier to stay connected to their child’s gaming habits.
“At PlayStation, we’re committed to providing safe and positive play experiences for gamers of all ages. PlayStation Family gives parents greater flexibility and insight into how their children are engaging with games, right from their mobile device,” a Sony Interactive Entertainment spokesperson said in a statement released on Wednesday.
The application will offer several new features, including:
Activity reports that show parents what their children are playing and for how long.
Real-time playtime management, with the ability to set limits and receive notifications.
Instant approvals for extra playtime requests, allowing parents to respond quickly without logging into the console.
Manage spending activity by adding funds, viewing balances, and setting a monthly spending limit for a child to buy content from the PlayStation Store.
Manage the social interaction of the players.
For families, this means more transparency and control.
For example, a parent can check whether their child has exceeded their daily gaming limit, review the types of games they have been playing, and approve an extra 30 minutes of gameplay, all through the app.
Parents can also set different profiles for multiple children, ensuring that restrictions are age-appropriate.
“The app gives us peace of mind as parents. I don’t have to interrupt my child’s gaming to manage settings, I can just approve or adjust from my phone,” one parent who tested the app shared in a statement provided by Sony.
This move aims to make parental oversight more seamless.
The PlayStation Family app can be downloaded today from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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