How to Set Up Parental Controls on a Nintendo 3DS

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

Understand the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and what their ratings mean.
Enable the various Parental Control options that are available on the Nintendo 3DS, including first time setup.
Unlock your console if you forget your parental control PIN.

Before We Begin:

Have access to your 3DS.

2. ESRB Ratings

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings provide guidance about video games and apps so that you can make informed choices about the ones you deem suitable for your family.

The ESRB is a single group, and only provides opinions on content. They are there to help give you an overview of the themes present in a game, not make decisions what is best for your child.

Parts of ESRB Ratings

Rating Categories suggest age appropriateness.
Content Descriptors indicate content that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern.
Interactive Elements highlight interactive or online features of a product, including users' ability to interact with each other, the sharing of users' location with other users, if purchases of digital goods or services are offered, and/or if unrestricted internet access is provided.

You can find the ESRB ratings on the front of physical games, with the content descriptor on the back.

Box Front

A small logo will be printed on the front of the game box, or prominently in the online store for the game.

Rating Pending

Games, but usually just promotional material for games, that the ESRB hasn't rated yet.

Early Childhood

Games designed for a preschool audience. No content that parents would find objectionable.

Everyone

Games that the ESRB believes to be "generally suitable for all ages". There may be infrequent mild or cartoon violence.

Everyone 10+

Games that the ESRB believes is still acceptable to everyone, but may have more mild or cartoon violence, mild language, crude humor, or suggestive content.

Teen

Games the ESRB finds suitable for teenagers. Things such as a moderate amount of violence, some language or adult themes, and crude humor.

Mature

Games the ESRB believes is generally suitable for people 17 or over. Realistic violence, strong adult themes, language, and so forth.

Adults Only

Games the ESRB believes are only suitable for adults 18 and over. Adult themes throughout, graphic depictions of adult themes, violence, and gambling with real-world money.

Content Descriptor

On the back of the box, a more expanded list of information about the rating, and a small list of why the rating was given is shown.

The primary information is repeated, here, just like the logo on the front. To the right, further information detailing what, exactly, gave it that rating. This is so you can make a more informed decision for your child.

ESRB
For further information, as well as to check the ratings before leaving home, you can always check the ESRB Website.

ESRB Ratings (External)

3. What Are Parental Controls

Parental Controls are a method you to customize or use preset options to control and restrict various settings on your 3DS.

You can choose to restrict the following 3DS features:

Game Rating: Restrict all usage (as well as purchase through the Nintendo eShop) of software exceeding the rating level of your choice.
Online Interaction in Games: Restrict the use of online features of software such as online play, conversation among users, and Miiverse posts.
Internet Browser: Prevent use of the Internet browser.
Wii U Shopping Services: Restrict the use of credit cards or the purchase of software through services such as the Nintendo eShop.
Miiverse: Restrict users from viewing or posting content.
As of Nov. 7th, 2017, the Miiverse service is no longer available.
Friend Registration: Prevent the registrations of friends.
Entertainment Excluding Games: Restrict the viewing of video content, both streaming and stored on physical media such as discs, and software with video playback functions.
Data Management: Restrict the deletion or moving of software or save data using Data Management.
Internet Settings: Restrict the addition, modification, or deletion of Internet settings.

4. First Time Setup of Parental Controls

Open the System Settings software from the HOME Menu.

home screen, highlighting the System Settings app.

Select Parental Controls.

Select Set to set up Parental Controls for the first time.

Select Next.

Select OK.

Select OK to begin choosing your PIN.

Choose a PIN code to ensure that your child cannot change your chosen settings.

You will be asked to enter the PIN twice to confirm.

Select OK.

Select a secret question and answer in case you forget your PIN. This can used to retrieve access to Parental Controls if you forget your PIN.

Select OK to confirm your secret question.

Select OK.

By default, all Parental Control options are enabled. You can individually configure the settings to your needs by selecting the separate topics. Please note that you will need the PIN code to access certain important functions, including Internet Settings and Format System Memory.

Once you are satisfied with your settings, tap the Done button to confirm.

You will be taken back to the Parental Controls front screen.

5. Change Parental Controls

Open the System Settings software from the HOME Menu.

Select Parental Controls.

Select Change.

Input your PIN.

Select Set Restrictions.

Select your category and adjust your restrictions.

Select Done when finished.

6. Delete Parental Controls

Open the System Settings software from the HOME Menu.

Select Parental Controls.

Select Clear Settings.

Select Delete.

7. I Forgot My Parental Control Pin

Unfortunately if you have forgotten both your PIN and your secret question for Parental Controls, you'll need to prove your identity and the fact you're an adult to Nintendo.

This requires a credit card and a trip to https://parentalcontrols.nintendo.com/