How To Set Up Parental Controls On A PS5 Without Limiting Multiplayer

For parents navigating the digital world of gaming, finding the right balance between safety and freedom is essential. The PlayStation 5 offers robust parental controls through its Family Management system, allowing guardians to manage screen time, restrict content, and monitor online activity. However, many parents worry that enabling these safeguards might block access to multiplayer features—a key part of modern gaming enjoyment. The good news: it’s entirely possible to protect your child while still letting them play with friends online. With careful configuration, you can maintain oversight without cutting off social interaction.

Understanding PS5 Parental Controls and Multiplayer Access

The PS5's parental control system operates via Sony’s Family Management settings, accessible through a linked master account. These tools allow parents to regulate game ratings, communication permissions, spending limits, and daily playtime. Crucially, multiplayer functionality isn’t an all-or-nothing toggle—it’s governed by multiple interrelated settings, each adjustable independently. This layered approach means you can disable inappropriate chat functions while preserving cooperative gameplay.

Multiplayer access on PS5 depends on several factors:

• Communication Settings: Voice chat, text messaging, and friend requests.
• Game Ratings: Age restrictions based on PEGI or ESRB classifications.
• Privacy Controls: Who can join your child’s games or see their online status.
• Network Features: Online co-op, competitive modes, and shared progression.

By adjusting these individually, you can preserve multiplayer functionality for age-appropriate titles while filtering out potential risks like unmoderated chat or contact from strangers.

“Effective digital parenting isn’t about restriction—it’s about smart enablement. On consoles like the PS5, granular controls make it possible to support both safety and social development.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Child Digital Safety Researcher, University of Edinburgh

Step-by-Step Guide to Configure Parental Controls Safely

Follow this sequence to set up parental controls without disabling multiplayer capabilities:

1. Create a Family Group: Log into your primary PSN account, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Family Management, and select “Create Family.” Add your child’s account as a sub-account.
2. Set Age Rating Limits: Navigate to Parental Controls/Family Management > Console Privacy Settings. Choose an appropriate game rating (e.g., PEGI 12 or ESRB T). Games rated below this threshold will be playable, including those with multiplayer modes.
3. Adjust Communication Permissions: Under the same menu, find “Communication and Multiplayer.” Select “Allow” for multiplayer gameplay but set voice and text chat to “Friends Only” or “Off” depending on maturity level.
4. Manage Online Interaction: Go to Privacy Settings > Game Play Sharing and Broadcasting. Disable “Join Game” for non-friends if desired, but leave “Play Online” enabled.
5. Limit Contact Requests: In Account > Privacy Settings, restrict who can send friend requests or view profile info to “Friends Only” or “No One.”
6. Enable Screen Time Monitoring: Use the “Screen Time” feature under Family Management to set daily limits. You can exclude specific games or times (e.g., homework hours) without affecting multiplayer availability.

Tip: Always test settings by logging into your child’s account after configuration to ensure multiplayer works in approved games.

Do’s and Don’ts: Balancing Safety and Social Play

Action	Do	Don't
Multiplayer Access	Allow multiplayer for age-rated games; use privacy filters	Block all online play to avoid perceived risks
Chat Features	Restrict voice/text chat to known friends only	Leave chat open to everyone on public servers
Friend Requests	Set to “Friends of Friends” or require approval	Allow automatic acceptance from strangers
Game Purchases	Require parental approval for downloads and microtransactions	Give unrestricted wallet access
Monitoring	Review weekly activity reports via Family Link email summaries	Over-monitor every session, eroding trust

Real Example: A Balanced Setup for a 13-Year-Old Gamer

Mark, a father of two in Manchester, wanted his son Leo (13) to enjoy playing Fortnite and Minecraft with classmates without exposing him to random adults in lobbies. He created a family group and set the game rating limit to PEGI 12. This allowed Leo full access to both titles—including cross-platform multiplayer—but blocked more mature games like Call of Duty: Warzone.

Next, Mark adjusted communication settings so Leo could play online with anyone but only exchange messages with users already on his friends list. He also disabled game invites from non-friends and turned off live streaming. Weekly, Mark reviewed the automated activity report showing how much time Leo spent online and which games he played. After three months, he noticed no behavioral issues and even observed improved teamwork skills during school projects. The setup worked: Leo stayed socially engaged while remaining protected.

Tip: Revisit settings every 6 months as children grow. What’s appropriate at age 10 may need adjustment by 14.

Maximizing Safety Without Killing the Fun: Key Strategies

The goal isn’t to eliminate risk entirely—that’s neither practical nor beneficial—but to minimize harm while supporting healthy digital independence. Consider these advanced strategies:

• Leverage Game-Specific Filters: Some titles have built-in parental options. For example, Roblox allows separate account restrictions even when launched on PS5 via browser.
• Use Real Names in Friend Lists: Encourage your child to only add people they know in real life, using recognizable names. This reduces impersonation risks.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Protect the master account with 2FA to prevent unauthorized changes to parental settings.
• Set Quiet Hours: Use “Rest Mode Schedules” to automatically suspend online access during sleep or study times without removing privileges altogether.
• Educate Alongside Technology: Tools are only part of the solution. Regular conversations about online behavior reinforce responsible habits better than any filter.

“Technology should empower families, not create conflict. When parents understand that multiplayer doesn’t equal danger, they can use controls to guide—not gatekeep—digital experiences.” — Sarah Kim, Digital Wellbeing Consultant, Common Sense Media

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child still join parties and play online if parental controls are active?

Yes. As long as “Play Online” is enabled in the Communication and Multiplayer settings and the game meets the age rating criteria, your child can fully participate in multiplayer modes, including team-based matches and co-op campaigns.

Will restricting chat stop my kid from playing certain games?

No. Chat restrictions affect communication only, not gameplay access. For instance, a child can play Overcooked! All You Can Eat in online co-op even if voice chat is disabled. Gameplay proceeds normally; coordination just happens silently or through emotes.

How do I approve a new game that’s rated above the limit?

You’ll receive an email notification when your child tries to launch a restricted title. Click the link to temporarily allow it, or log into your master account on the PS5 to adjust the rating limit permanently. You can also pre-approve specific games regardless of rating.

Checklist: Setting Up Safe Multiplayer Access

Before finalizing your PS5 parental controls, confirm the following steps are complete:

• ✅ Created a Family Group with your child’s account added
• ✅ Set an appropriate game content rating (e.g., PEGI 12)
• ✅ Enabled “Play Online” under Communication and Multiplayer
• ✅ Restricted voice/text chat to “Friends Only” or “Off”
• ✅ Limited friend requests and game invites to trusted sources
• ✅ Activated screen time tracking with reasonable daily limits
• ✅ Reviewed settings by testing login on the child’s account
• ✅ Scheduled a monthly check-in to reassess rules as needed

Conclusion: Empowerment Through Smart Control

Setting up parental controls on a PS5 doesn’t mean sacrificing multiplayer fun. With thoughtful configuration, you can provide a secure environment where your child enjoys the benefits of online gaming—teamwork, problem-solving, and friendship—without unnecessary exposure to risks. The key lies in understanding that safety and socialization aren’t mutually exclusive. By using Sony’s flexible tools wisely and maintaining open dialogue, you foster both responsibility and confidence in your young gamer.

💬 Have questions about your current setup or want to share your own experience? Join the conversation—your insight could help another parent strike the perfect balance today.