Keeping Kids Safe in Online Games: Chat, Friends, and Spending Controls
Last verified: August 2026
The games themselves are usually fine — the worry is who a child can talk to and what they can spend. Every console has free controls for exactly this; here's how to use them.
The Three Things to Control
Online gaming risk really comes down to three things: chat (who can talk to your child by voice or text), friends (who can add or contact them), and spending (in-game purchases and "loot" that add up fast). Every major console lets you control all three for free through its family app.
The good news is the defaults for child accounts are fairly strict — but only if the account is actually set up as a child account under an adult. A grandchild playing on an adult's account has none of these protections, which is the most common mistake I see.
You don't need to understand any particular game. You set the rules once at the account level, and they apply everywhere.
When to skip the DIY and just call: You want the family app set up and the rules dialed in with you · A child is getting messages from strangers · Unexpected charges are showing up.
Common Questions
1 How do I limit who can chat with my child?
- On Nintendo: use the Parental Controls app to restrict communication and, on Switch 2, approve GameChat friends one at a time.
- On PlayStation: in Family settings, limit messaging and voice chat to friends only, or turn it off.
- On Xbox: in Xbox Family Settings, set communication to "friends only" or "blocked."
- When in doubt, start restrictive — you can always loosen it later.
2 How do I control friend requests?
- Set the account so friend requests need your approval.
- Teach the child to only accept people they actually know in real life.
- Review the friends list together now and then and remove anyone unfamiliar.
3 How do I stop in-game spending?
- Don't save a credit card to the account — use gift cards so spending is capped to the card's value.
- Turn on purchase approval for child accounts so nothing buys without your OK.
- Watch for "free" games that sell coins, skins, or loot boxes inside — those are where surprise charges come from.
4 What are the warning signs to watch for?
- A child being secretive about who they're talking to, or using voice chat with people you don't recognize.
- New "friends" who are much older, or who move the conversation to another app.
- Requests for photos, personal information, or gift cards — treat these exactly like a scam and stop the conversation.
5 How do I talk to my grandchild about it?
- Keep it calm and matter-of-fact: some people online aren't who they say they are.
- Agree on a simple rule — no sharing real names, addresses, schools, or photos.
- Make it safe to come to you: "If anything feels weird, tell me and you won't be in trouble."
Want a Real Person?
Sometimes the fix takes five minutes — and sometimes you'd rather just have someone come fix it. Either way, I'm a call away. Flat $99 first visit, 30-day follow-up included. No surprises.
This guide is yours, free.
No sign-up, no email, no catch — it's free the way it looks free. Print it, save it, or share it with family. And if you'd rather hand the job off, Bill's two choices are right above: a $99 flat in-home visit or $49 remote help, often same day.