A new era begins for parents concerned about their children’s increasing use of video games: Sony has announced the launch of PlayStation Family – a dedicated parental management and control app, now available for download on the App Store and Google Play worldwide. The new app is designed to give parents full and convenient control over their children’s gaming experience, including time limits, budget management, and restrictions on age-inappropriate content.
The app’s launch comes after years during which parents had to rely on the built-in controls on PlayStation consoles, which were sometimes cumbersome or limited. Now, using a mobile device, parents can view their child’s activity in real-time, approve requests for additional playtime or purchases, and ensure that games are age-appropriate.
Control Over Content, Time, and Money
The significant innovation is the simple interface, which allows quick control from any mobile phone. Parents receive real-time notifications about the game their child is playing, can pause it with a single click, or approve a request to extend playtime. Additionally, daily and weekly reports on playtime are available, allowing parents to track trends of prolonged or unusual usage.
Moreover, the PlayStation Family app includes financial management tools that allow parents to control their children’s spending in Sony’s digital store. Parents can set a monthly spending limit, monitor balances, and prevent uncontrolled purchases of games and add-ons. This feature is considered one of the most important, given the growing phenomenon of in-game purchases that have caused many parents unpleasant billing surprises.
The app also allows parents to set content restrictions by age, with pre-made profiles suitable for children of different ages, alongside the option for customization. This ensures that children are not exposed to violent or overly mature content. Parents can also manage their children’s access to social features, such as playing with strangers or using chats.
Sony notes that the app offers a step-by-step guide, making it easy for parents to create a child account and link it to the app within minutes. The system also promises future updates and improvements based on user feedback.
According to the company, the launch is intended to address the growing need for smart screen-time management. In a world where video games have become an integral part of children’s and teens’ lives, dependence on these devices continues to grow. At the same time, there is an increasing demand to maintain a healthy balance between gaming and other activities such as studying, sports, and social life.
Sony’s new app aims to give parents a renewed sense of control. Unlike in the past, when tools were limited to the console screen itself, it is now possible to monitor and act from anywhere at any time. The user-friendly interface, combined with real-time notifications and control over all aspects of gaming, is expected to make PlayStation Family a central tool in every household with children who play PlayStation games.
The app is available for download for Android and iOS users in most countries. Sony has promised that this is only the beginning, with further updates and improvements planned to expand the options available to parents. Either way, it seems that, this time, parents finally get a hand on the wheel, at least regarding their children’s gaming habits. So what do you think: Will you download the app, or let your child have free rein in front of the screen?