Games consoles | Internet Safety and Responsible Use News

The following games consoles all have Internet access. This page gives information on how to turn on family/parental settings:

Sony PlayStation 3

The PS3’s restrictions are enforced by a four-digit password. The default password is 0000 (four zeros).

Select Settings, then Security Settings. You’ll find options for both DVDs and Blu-Ray movies. Options for games are listed under Parental Control. A number system indicates the level of restriction. The lower the number, the tighter the restrictions.

You’ll need to experiment to find the right restriction level. Start at 1 and gradually increase the number if acceptable games or movies are blocked.

To set parental controls for the Web browser, select Internet Browser Start Control. Your options are limited to On or Off. Selecting On will block access to the browser.

The default password is well known. If your kids don’t know it, their friends might. So once you’ve set the restrictions, change it. In the Security Settings menu, select Change Password. Enter the default password, then select a new password.

Sony PlayStation Portable

The PSP’s menu system is similar to the PS3’s. Turn on the PSP and select Settings, then Security Settings. You’ll see the options for games and Universal Media Disc (UMD) videos.

Select Internet Browser Start Control to change the Web browser settings. Select On to block access to the built-in Web browser.

Again, you’ll want to change the password. Select Change Password. Enter the default password, 0000 (four zeros). Then set your own four-digit password.

Nintendo Wii

You can set restrictions on games and online features on the Wii. Just click the Wii button at the bottom of the screen. Then select Wii Settings and select Parental Controls.

The Wii’s Restrictions are based on Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings. Select the highest rating with which you are comfortable. Full rating descriptions are available on the ESRB website at www.esrb.org.

When you connect the Wii to the Internet, you’ll get additional options. The Wii features a Web browser and a basic e-mail service. You can disable the Web browser and put limits on e-mail. You may also want to set up a PIN for purchases from the Wii Shop.

After you make your changes, you’re prompted to create a password. You also can specify a reminder question for your password.

Microsoft Xbox 360

To set parental controls in the Xbox 360, start the console without a disc. Then select System, Family Settings, Console Controls.

There are options for games, movies and Xbox Live. Base restrictions on ESRB game ratings and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) movie ratings.

Once you set restrictions, create a pass code. The option is listed under Console Controls as Set Pass Code. The code can be any four key combinations on the controller.

DSi

To set parental controls on the DSi, on the Nintendo DSi Menu, use the stylus to select the Settings (“wrench”) icon. Select the right arrow twice to reach the third page, then select “Parental Controls.” Select “Yes,” “Next,” then “OK” to reach the PIN screen. Select “Next,” enter a four-digit PIN, then tap “OK.” Enter the PIN again to confirm it, then tap “OK” again. Tap the up/down arrows to scroll through the secret questions. When the desired question is displayed, select “OK” to continue. Select “OK” again, use the on-screen keyboard to enter an answer to the secret question, then select “OK.” The answer must be six or more characters long. Select “OK,” then tap the left/right arrows to scroll to the game rating icon for the highest-rated video game content that’s suitable for viewing on the system. Select “OK” to continue. The system will take you through a number of questions, where you’ll choose which features to restrict. Select “yes” to block the feature or “No” to allow it. Select “OK” to confirm your selection.

iTouch

To set parental controls on the iTouch go to Settings, General, Restrictions. Tap to turn on the restrictions. At that point, enter a 4 digit passcode (it will ask you to confirm). Once there, you can choose to disable some of the applications such as Safari, YouTube, explicit content from iTunes, etc. (NB the same instructions also apply to the iPhone OS4, 3G and 3GS)

Images attribution

PS3 – http://www.flickr.com/photos/optiroc/3842614185/

PSP – http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckzaidan/2346506793/

Wii – http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/wii_54.html

Xbox – http://www.flickr.com/photos/bergius/54124959/

DSi – http://www.flickr.com/photos/hkdmz/2994867023/

iTouch – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mac_users_guide/3686032425/

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