Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team
In This Guide
You'll Learn How To:
Before We Begin:
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.
You can find the ESRB ratings on the front of physical games, with the content descriptor on the back.
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.
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.
As a parent or guardian, you can use parental controls to restrict access to certain content or features for children using your PS4 system. To set parental controls, you'll need an adult account and to set up a family.
Parental Controls on the PlayStation 4 can:
As a parent or guardian, you can use parental controls to restrict access to certain content or features for children using your PS4 system. If you choose not to setup or use a Family Account, all restrictions will be set at a console level for everyone who uses it.
PS4 Family Manager (Adult)
This is the account that represents everything you and your family do with your PS4. When you create a family, you are the family manager. As the family manager, you can add and manage family members, and set parental controls. You must be an adult to create a family.
Adult (Family Member) Accounts
As a parent or guardian, you can set parental controls. The family manager can appoint another adult family member as a parent or guardian.
Child Accounts
If you add an account with an age younger than 18, it will be considered a child account you can restrict. Parental Restrictions are automatic when an account is flagged as a Child. Be sure to input the proper age when creating a Child account. Children are automatically added to the family of the adult who creates their user accounts. Children cannot be removed from the family they are added to, so be sure that the adult who creates a child's user account intends to be the family manager.
There are a variety of settings you can adjust and control using Family Management:
Ratings Control
This lets you restrict what kinds of games a player can open, based on the ESRB Ratings guidelines and age.
Enable or Disable New Users or Guests
This will block attempts to get around the Parental Controls by creating new users or logging in as a guest.
Use of PlayStation VR
Blocks the use of PlayStation VR entirely when toggled.
Internet Access
Blocks the browser from working entirely when toggled.
These steps assume you have already set up your PlayStation 4 with at least one account.
There are a number of settings and controls you can adjust at the console level:
Web Filtering
An extremely restrictive filter that blocks everything, except only what a parent allows the Child account to see when browsing web pages with the PlayStation 4. This is provided by Trend Micro and requires a subscription.
Ratings Control
This lets you restrict what kinds of games a player can open, based on the ESRB Ratings guidelines and age.
Enable or Disable New Users or Guests
This will block attempts to get around the Parental Controls by creating new users or logging in as a guest.
Use of PlayStation VR
Blocks the use of PlayStation VR entirely when toggled.
Internet Access
Blocks the browser from working entirely when toggled.