As the holiday season draws near, the quest to find that perfect gift for the kids in your life starts to build up excitement. For many, considering an Xbox can be the key to unlocking a world of fun, connectivity, creativity, and learning that lasts for hours on end.
For those stepping into the gaming scene for the first time, the landscape can seem a bit overwhelming. From understanding online communities to managing screen time, ensuring content is age-appropriate, and maintaining safety—there’s a lot to unpack. Thankfully, Xbox simplifies the task of making suitable choices for families.
One crucial step when you’re setting up a new Xbox console is agreeing when prompted with, “Will this console be used by kids?” This small action opens the door to establishing an Xbox Child Account, which offers a safer, more personalized gaming experience for children. The best part? You don’t need to repurchase games for your child to play on the same console*. Plus, you gain control over which games they access, the duration of playtime, communication options, and more.
To enhance safety and supervision, consider downloading the Xbox Family Settings app available for both Android and iOS devices. This handy app lets you customize your child’s gaming environment from wherever you happen to be, even miles away from your Xbox.
Here’s what the app offers:
Screen Time Management: Easily set daily playtime limits. A favorite among parents (and grandparents, aunts, and uncles!) is the feature that lets kids request extra playtime, which you can approve or deny with a tap. Additionally, you can pause gameplay to say, “Dinner’s ready!” through the app.
Content Filters: Ensure your child only views age-appropriate content by blocking mature games you feel are unsuitable for them.
Purchase Limits and Approvals: Keep surprise purchases at bay with the ask-to-buy feature, approving each purchase. You can also reward good behavior by adding funds to a child’s account for future purchases without a hitch.
Communication Controls: Manage who your child can chat with while gaming. You control their friend list, can review requests, and decide whether they can talk to just friends or no one at all.
Activity Reporting: Keep tabs on your child’s gaming habits with weekly reports showing what they’ve been playing, how long sessions lasted, and any requests for additional time or new games. It’s pretty nifty!
The Xbox Series X|S is loaded with accessibility features, ensuring gaming is for everyone. Check out all the options on Xbox’s Accessibility site.
Once you’ve set the ideal gaming environment for your kids, the next big decision is what games to enjoy together. Xbox Game Pass presents an excellent deal for families, offering hundreds of games for a single monthly fee. Within this vast library, you’ll find a variety of family-friendly games, from exhilarating adventures to educational experiences. Simply explore the Family & Kids section in the Genres category on your Xbox console to see what’s available.
Gaming can spark creativity, enhance coordination, and cultivate a sense of accomplishment. It’s also a fantastic way for kids to relax, connect with peers, or become the star of your family’s game night, especially in our digital age.
With the exceptional features of your Xbox console, managed through the Xbox Family Settings app, you can rest assured that your child’s gaming journey is both safe and well-regulated.
For more details on the Xbox Family Settings app, head over to Xbox.com/family-app.
*Entitlements are shared only if child accounts operate on the same console designated as the “Home console.” Details on setting a Home console can be found here.
