Parental Controls
Ongoing coverage on Parental Controls.
Latest coverage
Does Parental Control Setup Make Gaming More Manageable for Families?
This article discusses how parental control setups can make gaming more manageable for families by establishing clear rules for screen time and spending. Microsoft Family Safety features are highlighted for setting daily limits, app-specific restrictions, and monitoring activity across devices. The piece also touches on age ratings and platform-specific controls, suggesting a comprehensive family agreement is key.
9-year-old kid spends $118,000 on YouTube ads for Minecraft and Roblox videos using his dad's company credit card:…
A 9-year-old boy allegedly used his father's company credit card without permission to spend $118,000 on YouTube ads for his Minecraft and Roblox videos. The father discovered the charges after being called into his office and is now facing potential personal liability for the expenses. The child's YouTube channel has been shut down, and the family plans to implement stricter parental controls.
Nintendo Switch Parental Controls 2.6.0 update out now, patch notes
Nintendo has released version 2.6.0 of its Switch Parental Controls app for iOS and Android. The update introduces the ability for two parents or guardians to monitor a child's game system together, allowing them to set play-time limits and view activity from their respective devices. Other minor improvements and bug fixes were also implemented.
How to set up ChatGPT's parental controls to protect your teen
OpenAI has introduced new parental control tools for ChatGPT, allowing granular control over content access for teenagers. These features aim to provide a safer experience for younger users interacting with the AI.
Nintendo maintenance schedule – August 30, 2026 – friends features on Switch 2 and Switch impacted, Switch Parental Controls
Nintendo has announced its maintenance schedule for the week of August 30, 2026. Online services, including some friend features on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, will be impacted on August 31. Nintendo Switch Parental Controls will undergo maintenance on September 1.
Uber will let parents peek through a driver's selfie camera when teens are taking a trip
Uber is introducing a new safety feature that allows parents to monitor their teen's trips by accessing a driver's selfie camera. This feature will only be used to review safety reports and ensure the well-being of young passengers during their journeys.
Threads is getting new parental control features
Meta is introducing new parental control features to its social media platform, Threads. These features aim to enhance supervision for younger users on the platform.
OpenAI will start notifying parents if their teen has been kicked off of ChatGPT
OpenAI will begin notifying parents if their teenage children violate platform policies, particularly concerning violence, on linked accounts. This measure aims to enhance AI safety and provide oversight for younger users.
"Safety is never an endpoint." Roblox's James Kay on age verification and commitment to player safety
Roblox's James Kay discusses the company's ongoing commitment to player safety, highlighting recent enhancements like facial age estimation for chat features and mandatory parental controls. He emphasizes that safety is an evolving process, not an endpoint, and addresses the potential impact of the UK's upcoming social media ban on younger users.
League of Legends patch 26.14 is rolling out optional parental tools to enhance "child safety"
Riot Games is implementing optional parental control tools in League of Legends, starting with patch 26.14, to enhance child safety. These features allow parents to manage social interactions, set purchase and playtime limits, and control data usage across Riot's services.
Nintendo Download: Four Ages, One Mission
Nintendo's latest download update features new releases like The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales and Observer: System Redux for Nintendo Switch. The update also highlights Father's Day game recommendations, pre-orders for Devil May Cry 5, and a Game Trial for EA SPORTS FC 26 for Nintendo Switch Online members. Additionally, promotions for Nintendo Switch Online memberships and various eShop sales are detailed.
Roblox Select Releases Globally: All Safety Details
Roblox Select has launched globally, introducing age-appropriate access to games and features alongside Roblox Kids. The platform now uses age-check systems to place users into applicable experiences and has implemented new chat safety features. Users must complete age verification to chat, with different account types (Roblox Kids, Roblox Select, Roblox) assigned based on age and verification status, all supported by enhanced parental controls.
Roblox needs to protect children, so its rollout of Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts is welcome
Roblox has launched new age-based account types, Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, globally to enhance child safety. These accounts implement stricter communication limits and improved parental controls tailored to different age groups, with features evolving as users turn 16. The move aims to create more age-appropriate experiences on the platform, despite some controversy surrounding the third-party age verification vendor.
Apple expands parental controls to include automatic image filtering
Apple is enhancing its parental controls with new features, including automatic image filtering. This update aims to bolster child protection measures on its devices.
Meta will show parents the topics of their teens' AI conversations
Meta is introducing a new feature that will allow parents to see the topics their teenagers have discussed with Meta AI over the past seven days across Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and safety for younger users on the platform, providing parents with insights into conversations related to school, entertainment, lifestyle, and health. The company is also enhancing its AI Wellbeing Expert Council with new members specializing in responsible AI.
Roblox settles Nevada state lawsuit for over $12 million, promising to make platform changes
Roblox has settled a lawsuit with the state of Nevada for over $12 million concerning alleged child safety issues on its platform. The agreement includes $10 million for non-digital programs for children, $1 million for an online safety awareness campaign, and $1.5 million for a law enforcement liaison. Roblox will also implement age verification features and enhanced parental controls.
Firaxis reveal Civilization 7's not good enough at building attack maths, tanking its late-game performance - a patch/tutor is here
Firaxis Games has released Update 1.3.2 for Civilization 7, addressing late-game performance issues caused by inefficient calculations in game logic. The patch also introduces 2K's teen accounts, allowing parents to restrict online play, chat, and microtransaction access for players under 18. The developer also confirmed work continues on the 'Test of Time' update.
Roblox introduces age-based accounts
Roblox is introducing new age-based accounts, including Roblox Kids (5-8), Roblox Select (9-15), and Roblox (16+), to enhance child safety and tailor content access. These accounts will automatically adjust based on user age and will be implemented alongside expanded parental controls and an International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) system. The changes aim to address concerns regarding child grooming, inappropriate content, and platform bans.
Roblox Is Splitting Into Three Age Tiers and Parents Are Actually Here For It
Roblox is implementing a new age-based tier system in June 2026, dividing the platform into Roblox Kids (under 9), Roblox Select (9-15), and standard Roblox (16+). This change introduces distinct features, communication settings, and content access tailored to each age group, aiming to enhance child safety and parental control. The system includes automatic age transitions and differentiated content filtering, with parents having the ability to approve specific games for younger users.
Roblox to introduce new kid accounts in its quest to appear less of a child safety nightmare
Roblox is introducing new age-based account categories, Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, to improve child safety and content moderation. These categories will adjust content access, communication settings, and parental controls based on user age, aiming to make the platform healthier for all users.
