Install the parent app before your child starts to play. On Xbox and PlayStation, your child can send you requests, for example for a purchase or for permission to chat. The requests go to the parent app on your phone.
The Short Version
Sources checked 2026-10-02 against Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo and Epic Games. Console menus last verified 2026-08-20 in our console guides.
No console is clearly the best. Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch have almost the same parental controls. Each console lets you limit games by age. Each console also lets you limit chat, spending and play time. You set these controls in a free parent app on your phone.
The setup is more important than the console. Give your child a child account with their real date of birth. The console uses this date to set the first age limits. Some games, such as Fortnite and Roblox, have their own accounts. These games have their own chat settings. The console settings do not change them.
Side by Side
| Control | XBOX | PLAYSTATION | NINTENDO SWITCH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent app | Xbox Family Settings | PlayStation Family | Nintendo Switch Parental Controls |
| Your child needs | A child Microsoft account in your family group | A child account under your Family Manager account | The console linked to your app with a code |
| Games by age | Yes, from 3+ to 18+ | Yes, by age level | Yes, by age preset, or pick your own |
| Chat | Allow chat with friends only, or turn chat off | Turn chat off, or allow chat with friends only. Your child can ask you to allow chat in one game. | Limit chat or turn it off. On Switch 2, you approve each GameChat contact for a child under 16. You also approve each video chat. |
| Spending | Ask to Buy: you approve each purchase | A monthly limit, which starts at $0 | You can limit eShop spending |
| Play time | Schedules for each day of the week. Your child can ask for more time. | A daily limit and set hours. Your child cannot ask for more time. | A daily limit. When time is up, an alarm sounds or the game stops. |
What the Three Consoles Do the Same
- The date of birth sets the age limits. Each console uses the date of birth on the child account to set the first limits. If the date is wrong, the limits are wrong.
- You manage the controls from your phone. Each console has a free parent app. On Xbox and PlayStation, your child's requests also go to the parent app.
- The controls are free. You do not need a subscription. You do not need an app from a different company.
What the Consoles Do Not Control
The console chat settings control only the chat that is part of the console. Some games have their own chat. Epic Games says that the Fortnite chat setting does not change the console chat. Roblox also has its own chat settings.
Do these two steps:
- Set the chat limits on the console.
- Set the chat limits in each online game that your child plays. For Roblox, see our Roblox guide.
Set Up Your Console
Our step-by-step guides show each screen for each console. These guides are for members.
If your child has an iPhone, use our guided setup. It shows each screen of the Apple parental controls.
Start the guided setupSources
Checked October 2, 2026.