PlayStation has published a new practical guide to safer multiplayer gaming for children, aimed at helping parents understand the settings and conversations that matter before a child goes online.

Start with the family account

The guide recommends setting up a child account within a PlayStation family. That gives a family manager access to age-based controls, spending limits and communication settings without requiring children to share an adult account.

Parents can review who may communicate with a child, what content they can access and whether user-generated material is visible. These settings should match the child’s age and maturity, then be revisited as games and friendships change.

Privacy, reporting and blocking

Multiplayer spaces can include voice chat, messages and content created by other players. Children should know how to mute, block and report another user, and that they will not be in trouble for telling a trusted adult about something uncomfortable.

PlayStation’s wider online-safety resources also stress keeping personal information private. Real names, school details, locations, passwords and account recovery information should never be shared in a game chat.

The conversation matters as much as the setting

Controls are useful, but they are not a substitute for regular, calm conversations. Ask what games a child is playing, who they play with and how a recent session felt. Agree simple rules about purchases, friend requests and voice chat before a problem appears.

• Use a unique password and enable two-step verification.
• Check age ratings and in-game communication features.
• Set spending limits and require approval for purchases.
• Show children the mute, block and report controls inside their favourite game.

This is general safety information, not a guarantee that every online interaction will be risk-free. Families can read the official Sony Interactive Entertainment newsroom article and explore more ASACC gaming coverage.

Source and image: Sony Interactive Entertainment, “Multiplayer Gaming Safety for Kids”, published 5 November 2026.