New App Offers Real-Time Monitoring and Customizable Features for Parents

Sony Interactive Entertainment has introduced a dedicated parental controls app called “PlayStation Family,” available on both iOS and Android platforms. The app aims to provide parents with greater oversight and control over their children’s gaming activities on PlayStation consoles. Key features include real-time notifications about the games being played, the ability to approve or deny requests for extra playtime or restricted games, and the option to set daily time limits. The app also offers detailed daily and weekly reports, content filters based on age-appropriate settings, and tools to manage privacy settings, social features, and spending activity.

Parents can use the app to:

Set up profiles for each child, with customizable settings for age, content, and playtime limits

Receive real-time notifications about the games being played, including titles, genres, and ratings

Approve or deny requests for extra playtime, restricted games, or in-game purchases

Set daily time limits for each child, with options to adjust limits for different days of the week

View detailed daily and weekly reports, including time spent playing, games played, and in-game purchases

Manage content filters, including age-based ratings and parental discretion

Control social features, including friend requests, chat settings, and online interactions

Monitor and manage spending activity, including adding funds, viewing balances, and setting monthly spending limits

The app also includes features to help parents create a healthy gaming environment for their children, such as:

A “Family Time” feature, which allows parents to schedule dedicated gaming time for each child

A “Reward System” feature, which enables parents to reward their children for good gaming behavior, such as completing achievements or reaching milestones

A “Parental Guidance” feature, which provides tips and resources for parents on how to create a safe and healthy gaming environment for their children

This launch aligns with a broader industry effort to enhance child safety in gaming, following recent scrutiny of platforms like Roblox over concerns about the protection of young users. In response to backlash, Roblox has expanded its age-estimation technology to all users and partnered with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) to provide age and content ratings for the games and apps on its platform. Sony’s new app brings all of its parental control tools into one centralized location, making it easier for parents to manage their children’s gaming experience while also adding new features like real-time updates and customizable filters.

The move reflects growing industry pressure to address child safety in digital environments, especially as gaming platforms continue to attract younger audiences. Sony notes that the app includes presets for different age groups, which can be customized for each child, allowing for more tailored and flexible parental oversight. The app is part of Sony’s ongoing efforts to provide a safer and more transparent gaming environment for families.