How to Setup and Use Parental Controls

Like movies and TV shows, video games span a multitude of genres and cover a lot of controversial ground. That means there is the potential for very young kids to run into game content featuring sex, drugs, and explicit references - game content that's far removed from the likes of Sesame Street: Cookie's Counting Carnival.

If you're a parent or a guardian, you might not want your young charge stumbling across material that's unsuitable for them. Fortunately, most modern video game systems have tools known as parental controls that can help ensure that kids can only access games that fall under a certain ESRB rating, or let you limit or block access to the Internet and gaming systems themselves. Here's how to activate the parental controls on today's most popular video game devices.

How to Setup PlayStation 3 Parental Controls:

1. Turn on your PlayStation 3 and browse to the main menu. If a game or movie is in the disc drive and automatically loads, just press the PS button (located in the middle of the controller) to return to the main menu. If the system asks if you should quit game or movie playback, choose yes.
2. Scroll over to and select the Settings option on the PlayStation 3's main menu.
3. Scroll down and select Security Settings (hint: a keyhole icon sits nearby).
4. Navigate to and select the Parental Controls settings option.
5. Enter your system password if prompted, or the default password (0000) if no password has previously been configured.
6. Choose system restriction levels that correspond with the ESRB video game content ratings that you’re comfortable letting your child access. The lower the number, the stricter settings become. The following options restrict content to:

· "2" - "EC," or "Early Childhood" - games suitable for children aged 3 and up.

· "3" - "E" or "Everyone" - games suitable for players aged 6 and up.

· "4" - "E10+" or "Everyone 10 and Up" - Games suitable for players aged 10 and up.

· "5" - "T" or "Teen" - games suitable for players aged 13 and up.

· "9" - "M" or "Mature" - games suitable for players aged 17 and up.

· "10" is "AO" or "Adults Only" - games suitable for players aged 18 and up.

Hints and Tips

• You can also block access to online browsing and play. Select Internet Browser Start Control and turn it "On." This will block access to an Internet connection and thus, online play will be disabled.
• The default passcode for changing security settings is "0000," which won't take long for a clever kid to figure out. You can change the passcode by selecting the Change Password option. When setting your four-number code, don't make it a birthday, anniversary or something equally memorable and easily guessable.
• Bonus info: You can also use the PlayStation 3's parental controls to restrict kids' access to Blu-rays and DVD movies that have MPAA ratings.

How to Setup Xbox 360 Parental Controls

1. Turn on the Xbox 360.
2. Access the My Xbox option from the Main Menu.
3. Flip through the tabs until you reach the Family Settings page.

The Xbox 360's Family Settings option can be completely turned off, or turned on and customized across a number of different functions. To change the settings of each function, turn your Console Safety setting to "On."

• The Ratings and Content setting allows parents to regulate which games children can access according to their ESRB video game rating. Those whose ratings are cited as restricted will require a passcode to access. You can select Game Exceptions to allow a game to bypass these restrictions. Movie and TV ratings can also be set in a similar fashion, but the console warns that not all are encoded with ratings. Content without a rating attached is treated as Unrated Content, which parents can also choose to allow or block. Parents can additionally choose to block anything that is marked as having Explicit Content.
• The Family Timer lets you set gameplay time limits on a daily or weekly basis, e.g. restricting play to one hour per day or blocking subsequent access for 24 hours, unless you choose to allow children additional playtime. Using a passcode, you can extend time limits if you'd like to grant kids' more time to play. Don't forget to set the clock to the appropriate time zone and current time before using it.

How to Setup Wii Parental Controls

1. Turn on your Wii video game system.
2. Point your Wii remote at the circular Wii icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the main menu, and select it.
3. Choose Wii Settings (indicated by the wrench icon).
4. Point your Wii remote at the right arrow icon and press the A button to flip to page 2.
5. Select the Parental Controls option.
6. When prompted, enter your four-digit pin number code (remember it!) and a secret question and answer for added security (hint: don't pick a birthday or other easily predictable password).
7. Choose Game Settings and PIN.
8. Select Highest Game Rating Allowed to restrict the games that kids can access by ESRB video game content rating.
9. Select Confirm.
10. Select Other Settings.
11. You can set "Yes" or "No" to restrictions on Wii Points spending, Message Boards, the Internet, the News channel, and online play.

How to Setup Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls

1. Access System Settings from the Main Menu (wrench icon).
2. Tap Parental Controls. Choose a four-digit PIN and a secret question/answer in case you misplace it.
3. Select Set Restrictions.

You can restrict game access based on a game's ESRB video game Software Rating.

You can also restrict access to the Internet Browser, the Nintendo 3DS Shop, the Sharing of Audio, Video, and Images as well as Online Interaction, StreetPass wireless networking, Friend Registration, and DS Download Play.

The Nintendo 3DS also allows you to restrict the Display of 3D Images, which Nintendo recommends doing for gamers aged six and under so as to prevent temporary or permanent eyesight damage.

How to Setup PSP and PSP Go Parental Controls

1. Select Settings from the PSP's Main Menu.
2. From there, select Security Settings.
3. Choose Parental Control Level.
4. Enter your PSP or PSPgo system password if prompted.
5. Use the arrow keys to choose your preferred parental controls level. As on the PlayStation 3, you can restrict game access to software based on a game's ESRB content rating. Numeric values represent the degree of strictness, with lower numbers presenting tighter restrictions (e.g. 1 is more restrictive than 10). You can also restrict movie access based on a film's rating from the MPAA. The following options restrict content to:

· "2" - "EC," or "Early Childhood" - games suitable for children aged 3 and up.

· "3" - "E" or "Everyone" - games suitable for players aged 6 and up.

· "4" - "E10+" or "Everyone 10 and Up" - Games suitable for players aged 10 and up.

· "5" - "T" or "Teen" - games suitable for players aged 13 and up.

· "9" - "M" or "Mature" - games suitable for players aged 17 and up.

· "10" is "AO" or "Adults Only" - games suitable for players aged 18 and up.

1. Select Internet Browser Start Control to restrict access to the Internet browser and Wi-Fi wireless online access in general, which also toggles a child's ability to play games online.
2. Select Change Password to create a PIN number passcode, which allows you to restrict or allow access to questionable game and video content. Four zeros ("0000") is the default.

How to Setup PC Parental Controls

It's no exaggeration: Kids today can practically navigate their way around a computer before they can successfully learn to walk across a room without stumbling. That's why it's important to think of Macs, PCs and the Internet as extensions to the real world: Wonderful places and people abound online, but there are also a lot of unsafe playgrounds.

No parent can keep their kid out of mischief 24 hours a day, so PCs and Macs have optional safeguards in place to limit browsing options. Parents can even set timers that will disallow access to the computer at certain times of day. Here's how to setup parental controls and keep your kids safe online.

How to Setup Parental Controls in Windows 7

To Set Time Limits:

-Access the Control Panel through the Start button. Under User Accounts and Family Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. If you're prompted for an admin password, type it in.

-Select the account you want to set up controls for.

-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.

-Select Time Limits.

-You'll be presented with a grid. By dragging your mouse across certain hours and days, you can restrict computer usage. A blue square means that hour is blocked.

-Click OK.

To Restrict Program Usage:

-Access parental controls by clicking on the Start button and opening the Control Panel. Under User Accounts and Family Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. Type in the admin password if you're prompted for it.

-Click on the profile of the person whose access you want to restrict.

-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.

-Click Block Specific Programs.

-Click [User's Name] Can Only Access the Programs I Allow.

-Select the programs you want to allow.

To Restrict Games by Content:

-Access parental controls by clicking on the Start button and opening the Control Panel. Under User Accounts and Family Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. Type in the admin password if you're prompted for it.

-Click on the profile of the person whose access you want to restrict.

-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.

-Click Games.

-Click Yes under Can [User's Name] play games?

-Click Set Game Ratings under Block (or Allow) Games by Rating and Content Type.

-Select the content types you want to block under Block These Types of Content.

To Restrict Games by Age Rating:

-Access parental controls by clicking on the Start button and opening the Control Panel. Under User Accounts and Family Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. Type in the admin password if you're prompted for it.

-Click on the profile of the person whose access you want to restrict.

-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.

-Click Games.

-Click Yes under Can [User's Name] play games?

-Click Set Game Ratings under Block (or Allow) Games by Rating and Content Type.

-Under Which Ratings are OK for [User's Name?], click a ratings level.

How to Setup Parental Controls in Windows Vista

Parental controls can be setup in Windows Vista in order to control a child's access to programs, games, and the computer in general. The person setting up the controls will need an Admin account on Vista.

To setup parental controls:

-Click the Start button, access the Control Panel, and click Parental Controls. Enter an Admin password if you're prompted for one.

-Click on the account for which you want to set Parental Controls.

-Under Parental Controls, click On. From there, you can adjust specific settings. Some of these include:

• Web Restrictions: This allows you to restrict websites and ensure that your kids only visit age-appropriate sites. You can also indicate whether or not you want to allow downloads on that specific account.
• Time Limits: Set the days and hours during which your child is allowed to log onto the computer with his or her account.
• Game Ratings: You can block certain games, or filter them according to their content rating.
• Program Limits: This setting helps you block and allow which programs your child is allowed to access.

With Windows Vista, you can also monitor how your kids spend their time on the computer:

-From the Parental Controls panel, click on a child's profile.

-From there, click on View Activity Reports. You'll be whisked to a listing of the last sites your kids visited, the latest files they downloaded, the games they've recently played, the applications they've accessed, and more. If you've blocked sites using Internet Explorer's Content Adviser, you can also access a report of which blocked sites your child tried to visit.

How to Setup Parental Controls in Windows XP

You can restrict access to certain Internet-based content using Internet Explorer's Content Adviser.

To do so:

-Select Internet Options in the Tools menu.

-Click on the Content tab then click on Enable.

-You'll be taken to the Content Adviser properties window. From there, you can adjust the level of offensive content you want displayed on websites. Using a slider, you can tone down instances of offensive language, nudity, sex, and violence.

-Under the General tab, you can block all access to certain sites.

-You can also choose a password with which you can protect your settings. The password will need to be turned off via the Content Adviser, so don't lose it!

How to Setup Parental Controls for Mac (OS X 10.5.X Snow Leopard )

Apple’s Mac parental controls allow parents to set time limits on computer usage, restrict access to certain content and apps, control incoming and outgoing emails, and can also be used to control which iChat friends may be contacted. To setup controls on OS X 10.5.X:

-Select System Preferences from the Apple menu.

-Click the Parental Controls icon in the System section.

-Click the Lock icon in the bottom-left corner. You will need to provide an Admin username and password.

-Click OK.

To Restrict App Usage:

-Select the account you're managing from the left menu.

-Click the System tab.

-Click on Allow Only Selected Applications and pick from the list of apps as needed.

To Restrict Content:

-Click the Content tab in the Parental Controls menu.

-You have the option to block profanity in the Mac's dictionary, if you like. Place a check in the appropriate box.

-Internet content can be unrestrained (click the Allow Unrestricted Access to Websites button) or the browser can attempt to filter out adult websites automatically. Needless to say, this option isn't foolproof.

-You can also customize access to certain websites with the Allow Access Only to these Websites option. This option also populates a list of well-known kid-friendly sites, and can be added to as necessary.

To Restrict Email and iChat Access:

-Click on the Mail & iChat tab. This option lets you manage who your child can send email to, and whom they can receive from.

-The Limit iChat box lets you prevent your child from contacting any iChat user who isn't on an approved list.

To Set Time Limits:

-Click on the Time Limits tab in the Parental Controls menu.

-To limit weekday use, go to the Weekday Time Limits section and click the Limit Computer Use to box.

-Use the slider to set time limits between 30 minutes to 8 hours every weekday.

-To limit weekend use, repeat the same actions in the Weekend Time Limit section of the menu.

To View Parental Controls Logs:

-Click on the Logs tab in the Parental Controls menu.

-You can use the drop-down menu to view websites and applications that were accessed within the past several months, or at any time during the machine's active history.