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Give your kids the freedom to play and explore in an environment you manage with Parental Controls.

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Choose your system

 

Parental Controls for Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch family of systems have parental controls that let you set rules—so you can spend less time worrying and more time having fun.

 

Lesson 1: Get started with the free mobile app

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You can set gaming restrictions for the family right from your smart device with the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls mobile app. While some parental controls are available on the system itself, this free app gives you even more options.

Simply follow the directions in the app to sync it with your system and your Nintendo Account. Don’t have a Nintendo Account? Learn more here.

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Internet access and compatible smart phone required. Data charges may apply. Nintendo Account age 18+ required to set parental controls.

 

Lesson 2: Keep an eye on play time

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You can set limits on how long or how late the Nintendo Switch system can be used each day. When the time limit has been reached, an alarm notification will pop up on the Nintendo Switch screen.

The app will also tell you if the Nintendo Switch console stays on past this time limit. If needed, you can always set the system to automatically interrupt when the time’s up.

Parents can disable play time alarms and game suspension features temporarily or for a full day using their PIN. For more details about how to use Nintendo Switch Parental Controls, visit support.

 

Lesson 3: Decide on the guidelines

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Since you won’t always be playing together with your kids, you can use the parental controls app to make sure you’re comfortable with how your Nintendo Switch system is being used. You can set restrictions on:

  • Which games your family can play
  • How long and how late they can play
  • Sharing screenshots to social media

To see the entire list of what you can restrict, visit support.

 

Lesson 4: Customize online features

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Different games have different social and online features that you may want to consider. With the parental controls mobile app, you can:

  • Limit sharing of in-game text or images per game
  • Restrict the ability to post screenshots to social media

You may also set restrictions on who can make Nintendo eShop purchases via your Nintendo Account* settings. To get started, visit accounts.nintendo.com.

*Parents or guardians will need a Nintendo Account to set up family groups and access parental controls via their account settings, as well as the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls mobile app. Visit the support page for details.

 

Lesson 5: Level up with a Nintendo Switch Online membership

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Enhance your games with features like online play, cloud saves, and more with a Nintendo Switch Online membership**. With a Family Membership***, up to eight Nintendo Accounts in a family group can use Nintendo Switch Online services—even if everyone lives under a different roof!

**Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online

***As the purchaser of a Family Membership, you will need to be at least 18 years old and save your credit card or link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account via Nintendo eShop.

 

Parental Controls for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems

 

Lesson 1: Create a PIN and register an email address

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To get started, open the System Settings icon on the HOME Menu, then select Parental Controls from the System Settings Menu. Create a four-digit PIN and select a secret question, then enter an email address (that only parents or guardians can access) in case you forget both your PIN and secret question.

 

Lesson 2: Choose which features or settings to restrict

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The system’s Parental Controls can restrict the use of the internet browser, online interaction, Nintendo 3DS shopping services, software based on ESRB ratings, friend registration, and more. You can find a full list of features you can restrict on the Nintendo 3DS family of system here.

  

Lesson 3: Customize settings to fit your family

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It’s easy to change Parental Control settings based on the current player’s age. You can set appropriate boundaries for each child, even if your 8-year-old and 16-year-old are sharing the same system. You can learn how to change Parental Controls here.

 

Smart devices

 

Lesson 1: Content & Privacy Restrictions

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With Parental Controls and Content & Privacy Restrictions included on smart devices, you can block or limit specific apps and features on the device your child is using. The on-device Parental Controls and Content & Privacy Restrictions will not change the games you see in the app stores, including games you have purchased or recommended games. When a child tries to install a game, they will be taken to the app store where your parental controls settings may restrict access.

Both iOS and Android platforms offer similar parental control features to help you:

  • Manage time spent with certain types of on device content
  • Prevent the download or use of apps based on age appropriate content ratings
  • Enforce parental supervision of purchases

For more information, you can visit support for iOS or Android.

 

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