How to Set Parental Control Rules on Xbox One | Updated 2024
Reading time: 13 min
Updated on October 13, 2023
Unlike smartphones and computers, traditional parental control applications aren’t compatible with Xbox One, leaving many parents in a quandary. Fortunately, Microsoft has a solution in the form of Microsoft Family Safety, a robust tool designed to offer control and monitoring for your child’s gaming experience. This not only includes setting screen time limits and scheduling playtime but also filtering games based on their age rating.
While this is very helpful, it’s important to understand that Microsoft Family Safety is only useful when it comes to the Xbox One. To monitor their online activities on phone and computer, limit their app use, set screen time limits and track their browser and search history – you’ll need a dedicated parental control app.
Based on my extensive testing, the best app for this is Qustodio, which has powerful features for setting parental control rules and monitoring your child’s online activities.
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Quick Guide: How to Set Parental Controls for Xbox One
- Create a Microsoft Family Group: Log into your Microsoft account and click on the Family Safety App. Set up your main account and create a profile for your child.
- Connect the child profile to their Xbox One profile: Create a user profile on Xbox for your child, and sync the two accounts so you can manage it remotely.
- Set custom parental control rules on Xbox: Set screen limits for the Xbox and individual games, create a usage schedule for what times Xbox is available, filter content, and monitor game and app use.
Warning: Kids often extend their Xbox experience to other platforms. They may be connecting with gamer friends through other apps or playing Xbox games on the computer. For complete protection, you should install a parental control app such as Qustodio on your child’s phone and computer that will extend your parental control rules to all their connected devices.
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Step By Step: Connecting Your Child’s Xbox Account to Microsoft Family
Connecting Microsoft Family Safety to your child’s Xbox One profile is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Set up a Microsoft account for your child: If your child doesn’t have a Microsoft account, you’ll need to create one for them. Go to the Microsoft account page and select “Create a Microsoft account”. Follow the on-screen instructions, inputting your child’s information.
- Add your child’s account to your Microsoft family group: Go to the Microsoft Family Safety page and sign in with your Microsoft account (the parent account). Select “Create a family group” and then “Add a family member”. Enter your child’s email address (linked to their Microsoft account) and send an invitation. They’ll need to accept this invitation from their email.
- Set up the console with your child’s account: On the Xbox One console, go to the “Sign in” screen and add your child’s Microsoft account. If the account has already been added, ensure they are signed in with their account.
- Turn on Xbox One Parental Controls: On the console, go to “Settings” > “Account” > “Family settings” > “Manage family members” > select your child’s account. You can now adjust the settings to suit your preferences for parental controls.
- Log in to Microsoft Family Safety on your computer: Using your Microsoft account, sign on to your Family Safety account, and you will see your child profile, and his connected devices. Here, you can set screen time limits, content restrictions, purchase limits, and more.
Remember that any settings you apply on the Family Safety app will only synchronize with your child’s Xbox One console when it’s connected to the internet.
How to Set Screen Time Rules on Xbox One
There are four different types of screen time rules:
- Daily screen time limits
- Restricted times
- Lock the Xbox
- Games and app limits
All four limits are set through the Microsoft Family Safety dashboard.
Setting Daily Screen Time Limits and Screen Time Schedule
Click on your child’s profile and then press the Screen Time option on the menu bar. You can choose to have one set of time limits for all connected devices on Family Safety or create separate screen time rules for Xbox.
Scroll down to the list of connected devices and open the Xbox console section. A daily schedule will open, and you can customize the overall daily limits and what times the Xbox is available.
There is also the option to lock the Xbox at any time, through the remote dashboard. Right above the screen time schedule is a button labeled Lock Device. This will keep the Xbox locked until it’s either unlocked from the Family Safety dashboard or the password is entered on the Xbox One console.
How to Set Screen Time Limits for Apps and Games on Xbox
Login to your dashboard and open the child’s profile. Click on the Screen Time tab on the menu bar to open the screen time settings, and switch from the Devices to Apps and Games. You’ll see a list of all the installed games and apps under your child’s account.
Click on the game or app you want to limit, and you’ll have the option to set screen time limits and a usage calendar for when the game is available.
How to Block Inappropriate Games and Apps
You can restrict games and apps based on the ratings or remove access to them once they’ve been installed on the Xbox. To start, click on the Content Filter section on the menu. There you can select the maximum age rating that you want your child to be able to play.
Family Safety also has a list of all Allowed Apps, and you can remove the access if you see that it is not appropriate for your child.
Customizing the Privacy Settings
If you have Xbox Live, your child can play games and chat with strangers. Through the Xbox One console you can adjust the privacy setting. Some of the options you have is to create a list of who your child can play with, turn off voice chat, and block incoming messages from unknown users.
To start, press on the Xbox button on the controller. From the menu that opens, select Profile & system > Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety > Xbox privacy. You can can then choose from three default settings, Child, Teen, or Adults, or customize the privacy settings by selecting View details & customize.
If you want to mute another player, or block them from chatting during games, press on the Xbox button to open the main menu. Select People, locate the gamertag you want to mute or, if the player isn’t on your child’s friend list, open the Recent Player or Find Someone option. Once you locate the player, click on their profile, and select Mute. You can also block a player, which prevents them from sending your child messages, game invites, and party invites. They also will no longer be able to see your child’s online activities and delete them from their friend list.
Set a Password to Prevent Unauthorized Purchases
To enhance the security of your console and prevent unauthorized purchases, you can enable a password requirement for every purchase.
To do this, follow these steps: First, navigate to the System menu and select Settings. From there, go to Account and then choose Sign-in. Look for the Security & passkey option, and you may be prompted to enter your password for added protection. Click on “Change my sign-in & security preferences” to proceed. Next, scroll to the right and select “Customize.” Keep scrolling to the right until you find the option “Ask for my passkey to make purchases.”
Finally, choose “Passkey required” to activate the feature, ensuring that your console will now prompt for a password whenever you attempt to make a purchase. By implementing this additional layer of security, you can enjoy a worry-free gaming experience and avoid any unauthorized transactions on your account.
Stay Updated on Your Child’s Xbox Activities with Detailed Reports
Family Safety feature on Xbox One generated several reports to help parents or guardians monitor their children’s gaming activities and overall usage. The specific reports available may vary depending on updates and changes made by Microsoft, so it’s essential to check the latest information from the official Xbox support channels. Here are some of the typical reports that were generated:
- Activity Report: This report provides a detailed overview of the child’s gaming and app usage. It shows the time spent on each game or app, allowing parents to track which games their children are playing and for how long.
- Screen Time Report: The screen time report displays the total amount of time the child spent on the Xbox One console within a specified period. It helps parents monitor the overall time their child is spending on gaming and other activities.
- Most Used Apps and Games: This report shows the most frequently used apps and games by the child, helping parents understand their child’s preferences and interests.
- Purchase History: Parents can access a report that shows the purchase history of games and apps made through the child’s account. This allows them to keep track of spending and manage app purchases.
- Web Filtering and Browsing Report (for Xbox One with web browsing capabilities): If web filtering and browsing are enabled, this report shows the websites accessed by the child, allowing parents to ensure they are browsing appropriate content.
- Friend Requests and Communication Report: If communication settings are managed, parents can view a report on friend requests and communication activities to ensure their child’s safety while gaming online.
- Screen Time Management Report: For devices that support screen time management, parents can access a report that summarizes the child’s screen time across Xbox One and Windows devices.
Why Xbox One Parental Controls Are Not Enough
Microsoft Family Safety is a robust tool for managing the Xbox gaming experience, providing control over aspects like screen time, age-appropriate content, and in-app purchases. However, it has its limitations, particularly when it comes to monitoring the wider online gaming ecosystem, including streaming platforms and gaming-related chat applications like Discord and Twitch.
These platforms are frequently used by gamers for live streaming gameplay, interacting with other players, and participating in gaming communities. As such, they can present potential exposure to explicit content, unwanted interactions, and potentially harmful influences. Family Safety doesn’t offer native support for comprehensive monitoring of these platforms.
Moreover, the gaming world extends beyond the console itself, with many Xbox games also playable on PCs. Therefore, it’s possible for your child to continue their gaming activities on a computer, circumventing any controls set on the Xbox.
This is where premium parental control apps come in. Such apps can offer broader and deeper monitoring capabilities, including tracking activities on various platforms and devices. A premium parental control app might provide detailed reports of your child’s activity on Twitch or Discord, allow you to restrict access to certain channels or servers, or even set time limits for these apps.
FAQ
How do I connect my child’s Xbox One profile to Microsoft Family Safety?
How do I set screen time limits and specific game and app time limits on my child’s Xbox One?
Do I need a premium parental control app in addition to Microsoft Family Safety?
Setting Parental Controls for Xbox One with Microsoft Family Safety is Not Enough
The Microsoft Family Safety app is essential for setting parental controls and monitoring your child’s activity on the Xbox console. However, as digital gaming expands beyond the console, parents may find the need for more comprehensive parental control solutions. That’s where a premium parental control app, such as Qustodio, comes into play. Qustodio is a multi-platform compatible tool, offering services for PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS devices. It provides extensive screen time controls, allowing parents to set limits on specific apps or even block them entirely.
Qustodio offers a 30-day free trial without requiring a credit card, letting you test out its functionality and benefits for your unique needs. This ensures that parents can create a safe, balanced, and healthy gaming ecosystem for their children, across all devices and platforms.
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