PS4s, children's sub accounts and networked games

Forums › Gaming › PS4s, children's sub accounts and networked games - how?!

jonathan18

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#245583 11-Feb-2019 21:19

So we have a PS4 Pro; it's set up with a master account (mine) and both our boys on linked sub accounts.

My oldest son is simply unable to play games online with his sub account. This is even with the app age limit set to 'allowed'.

Is this (lack of) app age limit still being overridden by another setting to prohibit him using games with online content? Perhaps it's his DoB (he's 11) that I assume I had to enter when I created his sub account? (If this is the case then surely he'd be able to play online content for any G-rated game?)

Anyway, at this point he's not able to use Battlefront 1 or 2 online, even open StarTrek Online, nor (I understand) play his current favouite (Naruto) online with his mate. He can't access Fifa online content (but I also know EA games require an EA account which adds another complicating factor...).

So, apart from creating an 'adult' account, which then bypasses ALL the good controls as well (setting age restrictions, time and hour restrictions etc), what are my options?

Are there settings that I have set up wrongly? (I have gone over everything many times so I don't think I'm missing anything!)

Or do I need to create a new sub account for him with an older DoB?

Or do I just have to give up and let him use an adult account when he wants to use online games?

I know there are a number of you out there with PS4s and kids, so hopefully you've successfully navigated these treacherous waters. Any advice on what I'm doing wrong or what my options are would be greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

davidcole

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#2176791 11-Feb-2019 22:30

I ended up scrapping my age appropriate child account for my son.....when he can’t play fifa , it becomes a joke. So. Made him a 14 yo one.

Not sure if PlayStation’s parental controls will take effect, or if I just have to monitor him....he’s pretty good, as in asks to play fortnite, or turn on the ps4, so because of that I give him a little rope.

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richms

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#2176803 11-Feb-2019 22:41

All these stupid regs that block things based on a DOB that was entered is why in about 70 years time google will be premeturly sending out the congratulations on making it to 100 emails to people.

Nothing works on the limited accounts. If they find that someone is underage and using their services they are required by law to cut them off. Absurd but thats what happens when lawmakers with no clue make laws under the covers of "Think of the children!!"

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jonathan18

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#2176960 12-Feb-2019 10:14

Thanks for the replies.

I've created a new sub-account for my son, this time with a DOB placing him at 16, so I will try tonight to see if this helps at all. @davidcole - is this essentially what you did? (ie, still a sub account, but just with an older DOB). (If the DOB entered when setting up a sub account does indeed cause such problems then I find the info they give when doing so misleading as - it claims DOB is required to reset the password!)

Are there any other options? And am I still going to hit problems with EA games?

I really cannot believe what a complete FU and a PITA this whole parental control management thing is with PlayStation, and I assume other consoles. I actually like the controls provided in 'family management', but that should be the one and only place that limitations on an account's access is managed - let me, as my kids' parent, determine what they can play, when they can play, how long they can play for, and whether I want them to be able to play online. Sure, defaults for kids' accounts could be set fairly tightly, but allow the parent to revise as appropriate. But the current situation of having multiple factors determining access ensures such a level of opaqueness and confusion it's a nightmare, and in the end defeats the very point of such controls - parents get so frustrated they simply bullsh!t about age or simply provide their kids with an unrestricted adult account.

Rant over.

davidcole

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#2177099 12-Feb-2019 12:02

jonathan18:

Thanks for the replies.

I've created a new sub-account for my son, this time with a DOB placing him at 16, so I will try tonight to see if this helps at all. @davidcole - is this essentially what you did? (ie, still a sub account, but just with an older DOB). (If the DOB entered when setting up a sub account does indeed cause such problems then I find the info they give when doing so misleading as - it claims DOB is required to reset the password!)

Are there any other options? And am I still going to hit problems with EA games?

The only real other option is not a subaccount....ie a generic PSN account. I can't remember if mine is a sub of the family or not.

Also various companies have different rules, so ubisoft, epic, ea etc..and it's annoying that you quite often have to create accounts there that take a feed from your psn account...it does sour the entire experience.

NPCtom

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#2195959 11-Mar-2019 15:52

jonathan18:

Thanks for the replies.

I've created a new sub-account for my son, this time with a DOB placing him at 16, so I will try tonight to see if this helps at all. @davidcole - is this essentially what you did? (ie, still a sub account, but just with an older DOB). (If the DOB entered when setting up a sub account does indeed cause such problems then I find the info they give when doing so misleading as - it claims DOB is required to reset the password!)

Are there any other options? And am I still going to hit problems with EA games?

I really cannot believe what a complete FU and a PITA this whole parental control management thing is with PlayStation, and I assume other consoles. I actually like the controls provided in 'family management', but that should be the one and only place that limitations on an account's access is managed - let me, as my kids' parent, determine what they can play, when they can play, how long they can play for, and whether I want them to be able to play online. Sure, defaults for kids' accounts could be set fairly tightly, but allow the parent to revise as appropriate. But the current situation of having multiple factors determining access ensures such a level of opaqueness and confusion it's a nightmare, and in the end defeats the very point of such controls - parents get so frustrated they simply bullsh!t about age or simply provide their kids with an unrestricted adult account.

Rant over.

In my previous experience your under 18 child (the required age to create a PSN account) has a possibility of being banned from PlayStation services and all downloaded games will be lost. But all you have to do is get an adult to send a copy of their ID and the account will be transferred to your own name and DOB.