As the holiday season approaches, it’s often a time to hunt for that ideal gift for the children in your world. For many, an Xbox stands out as an option, promising countless hours of enjoyment, social interaction, creativity, and learning.
However, if you’re not a regular in the gaming universe, figuring it all out might seem a bit overwhelming. From the ins and outs of online communities to balancing screen time, ensuring content is appropriate, and maintaining safety—there’s plenty to consider. Luckily, Xbox makes it simple for parents and guardians to navigate these areas with ease.
One of the first things you should do when getting a new Xbox is to choose "Yes" when asked if the console will be used by kids.
Taking a few minutes to set up an Xbox Child Account rather than having kids sign into your account can create a safer and more personalized environment for them. This setup grows with your child and perfectly fits your family’s needs. There’s no need for concern about purchasing games again; your child can play on the same console without an extra cost*, and you get to decide which games they play, how long they play, and who they interact with online.
After your console is rigged up, you can ensure it remains a safe haven by downloading the Xbox Family Settings app on your Android or iOS device. This powerful app lets you manage your child’s gaming world from wherever you are, providing peace of mind no matter the distance from the console.
The app’s capabilities are impressive:
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Screen Time Management: Establish daily gaming limits; a functionality many parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles appreciate. Kids can request more playtime, and you can easily approve or decline these requests from the app. It even lets you pause game time when it’s time for "dinner!"
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Content Filters: Tailor the games your child can play, ensuring they only access age-appropriate content and blocking anything too mature.
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Purchase Limits and Approvals: Avoid surprise purchases by having the final say on all game buys through the app’s ask-to-buy feature. You can add funds to their account for future purchases as a reward for good behavior.
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Communication Controls: Decide who your little gamer can interact with online. You can manage their friend list, handle friend requests, and restrict communication to just their contacts or block it if necessary.
- Activity Reporting: Keep tabs on what your child is playing, how much time they spend in games, and any requests they’ve made with weekly activity summaries.
Beyond that, the Xbox Series X|S has numerous built-in features to ensure gaming is accessible to everyone, with more details available on Xbox’s Accessibility site.
Once you have crafted the gaming environment you envision for your child, the only decision left is what to play together! Xbox Game Pass offers a treasure trove of hundreds of games for a monthly fee, featuring a wide variety of family-friendly games. From thrilling adventures to educational experiences, there’s something for every player. You can explore the latest list of available games, sorted under "Family & Kids" in the genre section on the Xbox console.
Games can do more than entertain; they spark creativity, enhance hand-eye coordination, and provide a rewarding sense of accomplishment. They also serve as a great way for kids to relax, connect with friends, or become a staple for family game nights in today’s digital world.
With the robust parental control features provided by your Xbox and managed effortlessly via the Xbox Family Settings app, you can be assured that your child’s gaming time is both safe and well-regulated.
For all the details about the Xbox Family Settings app, visit Xbox.com/family-app.
*Remember that entitlements are shared if child accounts use the same console designated as the “Home console.” You can find more information on setting up a Home console here.
