Source: The Verge – September 10, 2025
What Parents Need to Know
Sony has officially launched the PlayStation Family app for iOS and Android, giving parents powerful new ways to monitor and guide their children’s gaming on PS4 and PS5. While parental controls already exist on consoles, this mobile companion app provides real-time oversight, anytime, anywhere.
With online gaming becoming a central part of children’s digital lives, this move signals a major step forward in child online safety and responsible gaming practices.
Key Features of PlayStation Family
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Playtime Management: Set daily limits, review activity reports, and approve requests for extra gaming time directly from your phone.
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Content & Privacy Controls: Adjust privacy settings, manage who can contact your child, and filter game content based on age ratings.
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Spending Oversight: Track and control purchases on the PlayStation Store to prevent overspending or exposure to inappropriate content.
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Easy Child Account Setup: The app includes a simplified onboarding experience for setting up safe child accounts.
These features bring PlayStation in line with Nintendo and Microsoft, which already offer parental control apps for Switch and Xbox.
Why This Matters Globally
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France & the EU: Supports wider European initiatives on age verification and protecting minors from harmful digital content.
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Morocco: Complements growing awareness campaigns warning families about online exploitation risks.
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UAE: Aligns with national plans to integrate cybersecurity education into the school curriculum.
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Canada: Adds another layer of protection alongside Cybertip.ca, the national reporting service for child online exploitation.
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Turkey: Reinforces the need for parental oversight following regulatory scrutiny of platforms like Roblox.
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Brazil: Complements government debates on child protection laws for digital platforms, offering parents immediate practical tools.
Cyber Sqool Advice for Parents and Schools
At Cyber Sqool, our mission is to help families and schools protect children online through education, awareness, and practical tools. Here’s what we recommend:
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Parents:
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Download the PlayStation Family app and configure time limits, spending caps, and privacy settings.
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Talk to your children about why these rules exist, linking them to healthy gaming habits and online respect.
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Combine app controls with conversations about cyberbullying, grooming, and online scams.
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Schools:
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Include examples like the PlayStation Family app in digital literacy programs to show students how technology can be used responsibly.
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Collaborate with parents to ensure consistent rules at home and in school, reinforcing healthy digital habits.
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Encourage students to reflect on their digital footprint and the balance between screen time and real-life activities.
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Final Thoughts
The launch of the PlayStation Family app represents more than just a convenience for parents, it’s part of a growing global movement to protect children in digital spaces. Whether in France, Morocco, Canada, the UAE, Turkey, or Brazil, the message is the same: strong parental controls, open conversations, and education are the foundation of child online safety.
