Parental Controls & Spending Limits in Games

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to set parental controls and spending limits on the most popular gaming platforms—PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Epic Games—so you can manage what your child plays and how much they can spend. You’ll learn the exact menu paths, what each setting does, and how to fix common issues. Before you start, make sure you have the account credentials for the parent/administrator account on each platform, and have your child’s account details handy if you’re adjusting an existing account.

What You’ll Need

Access to the parent/administrator account for each platform (email and password)
The child’s account login (if you’re changing an existing account)
A web browser or the platform’s mobile app (for some settings)
Your payment method details if you plan to set a spending limit that requires a linked wallet

Step-by-Step

PlayStation (PS5 / PS4)

Create a family group: On your PS5, go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management. If you don’t have a family group, select Set Up Now and follow the prompts to add yourself as the parent/guardian.
Add your child: Choose Add a Child and enter their date of birth (must be under 18). You’ll create a separate sign-in ID for them or link an existing child account.
Set age rating restrictions: In the family management screen, select your child’s profile, then Parental Controls > Age Level. Choose an age rating (e.g., PEGI 12 or ESRB T) that matches your preference. This blocks games rated above that level.
Set spending limits: Go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management, select your child, then Parental Controls > Spending. You can set a monthly spending limit (e.g., $20) or require a password for every purchase. To require a password, toggle Require Password at Checkout to ON.
Apply and test: Press OK to save. Try making a test purchase from the child’s account to verify the limit works.

Xbox (Series X|S / One)

Create a family group: On your Xbox, go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Family settings > Manage family members. If you don’t have a family group, select Add to family > Add new and enter your child’s email or create one.
Set content restrictions: In the family group, select your child’s account, then Content restrictions. Choose an age rating (e.g., ESRB or PEGI) under Appropriate for age. You can also block specific apps or games.
Set spending limits: Under the same child’s settings, go to Privacy & online safety > Xbox privacy > View details & customize > Purchase & downloads. Set Ask a parent for “Buy things from Xbox� and “Download things.� This requires your approval for every purchase.
Alternative: Microsoft account website – You can also manage these settings at account.microsoft.com/family after signing in with your Microsoft account. There, you can set a monthly spending limit under Spending.
Save and verify: Changes save automatically. Test by attempting a purchase from the child’s account.

Nintendo Switch

Create a Nintendo Account for your child: If you haven’t already, go to accounts.nintendo.com and create a child account (under 13) or a general account for older kids. You’ll need to link it to your parent account.
Set parental controls on the console: On the Switch, go to System Settings > Parental Controls. If you haven’t set them up, select Parental Controls Settings and follow the prompts. You can set a PIN that you’ll need to change settings later.
Restrict games by rating: In the Parental Controls menu, select Restriction Level and choose from Child, Pre-teen, Teen, or Adult. This automatically restricts games based on age rating.
Set spending limits: Nintendo doesn’t offer a direct spending limit. Instead, you can require a password for purchases. Go to Nintendo eShop on the console, select your child’s profile, then Settings > Password and set it to Enter Password. This means your child must enter your password to buy anything.
Use the mobile app (optional): Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone. It lets you set daily play time limits and view purchase history, but not spending limits directly.

Steam (PC)

Enable Family View: In Steam, click Steam (top-left) > Settings > Family. Click Manage Family View.
Select what to restrict: Choose Select which features are accessible. You can restrict the store, library, and community. For spending, make sure Store is restricted, and then select Require PIN to access.
Set a PIN: Enter a 4-digit PIN. This will be required to access the store or make purchases.
Apply Family View: Click OK and then Enable Family View. Your child will need the PIN to buy anything.
Steam Wallet limits: Steam doesn’t have a built-in spending cap. You can control spending by not adding funds to the wallet, or by using gift cards with a set amount.

Epic Games (Fortnite, etc.)

Set up parental controls: Go to epicgames.com and sign in to your Epic account. Click your profile icon > Account > Parental Controls.
Enable parental controls: If not enabled, click Enable Parental Controls and create a 6-digit PIN.
Set spending limits: In the Parental Controls menu, you can set a Monthly Spending Limit (e.g., $10). You can also require a PIN for purchases by toggling Require PIN for Purchases.
Apply and test: Save changes. Try a test purchase from the child’s account to confirm the limit works.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to set a PIN on Nintendo: Without a PIN, your child can change settings themselves.
Using the wrong account: Make sure you’re signed in with the parent account, not the child’s, when changing settings.
Not testing the settings: Always try a test purchase or a restricted game to ensure the limits actually work.
Setting age rating too high: A rating like “Teen� may still allow games with violence or online chat. Choose based on your child’s maturity, not just age.
Ignoring in-game purchases: Spending limits on the platform don’t always cover in-game currency bought through the game itself (e.g., V-Bucks). Check the specific game’s settings too.

Tips

Use a separate child account: Never let your child play on your main account, as they’ll have full access to your payment methods.
Review purchase history regularly: Check monthly to see what your child has bought or tried to buy.
Set a low spending limit first: You can always raise it later. Start with $0 or $5 to see how it goes.
Combine with play time limits: Most platforms let you set daily or weekly play time, which helps balance gaming.
Use two-factor authentication: Add 2FA to your parent account to prevent your child from bypassing settings.

Troubleshooting

Settings not saving: Make sure you’re connected to the internet. If the problem persists, restart the console/PC and try again.
Child can still buy things: Check if the game has its own wallet (e.g., Fortnite’s V-Bucks). If so, you may need to disable in-game purchases in the game’s settings or contact the game’s support.
Forgot PIN: On PlayStation, you can reset it by going to the family management screen and entering your account password. On Nintendo, you’ll need to answer security questions or contact support. On Steam, you can reset via email verification.
Child account can’t access games they already own: Age restrictions may block games rated above the set level. Adjust the rating or whitelist specific games if needed.
Spending limit not applying to gift cards: Some platforms treat gift cards as pre-paid funds and may not apply the limit. Monitor the balance and set a low limit on the wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a spending limit on Nintendo Switch?

Nintendo doesn’t offer a direct spending limit. You can require a password for eShop purchases, which effectively blocks purchases without your approval.

Do parental controls block in-game purchases like V-Bucks?

Platform-level controls may not block purchases made inside a game using in-game currency. Check the game’s own settings or disable in-game purchases in the game’s menu if available.

Can my child bypass parental controls?

If your child knows your PIN or has access to your account, they can. Always keep your PIN secret and enable two-factor authentication on your parent account.

How do I set a monthly spending limit on Xbox?

On the Microsoft family website (account.microsoft.com/family), select your child’s account, then go to Spending and set a monthly limit. Alternatively, set “Ask a parent� for purchases on the console.

What age rating should I choose?

It depends on your child. ESRB (US) or PEGI (Europe) ratings give a general guideline. For example, ESRB E10+ is for ages 10+, T for teens 13+, M for 17+. Choose based on your child’s maturity and your family values.

Can I set different limits for different children?

Yes, on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, each child account has its own parental controls. You can set different ratings, spending limits, and play time for each child.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.