Do This Before You Wrap That New Console
Whether it is for a birthday, Christmas or another celebration, when you are giving a child a new piece of technology it’s important to get it set up properly before they use it.
For a new video game console, it’s even more important to get it ready. At peak holiday times updates can take hours to download. It’s the “batteries not included moment” of modern parenting. Your child opens their new console and plugs it in but can’t get online to play or download their games because everyone else is doing it at the same time.
Here’s what you need to do to ensure you have everything set up and ready to start playing safely straight away. How long it takes depends on the speed of your internet, but allowing an hour or so is usually plenty - and time well spent:
- Carefully open the box and plug in the console.
- Connect to your home Wi-Fi and follow the console set-up process.
- Start by setting up a Parental user with a PIN to ensure no one else can change the settings.
- It will take some time for the console to download and apply any updates.
- While this is happening you can use the related console app or website to set up accounts for each child.
- Once the console has updated, enter any game codes or game discs so they can also download and apply updates.
• It’s worth noting that you should be sure these are the right games as once you’ve used the code or opened the box you are unlikely to be able to return it. - Work through each of the child accounts and apply parental controls to each:
• Specify a PEGI age limit to the games they can play without asking.
• Configure the appropriate level of communication with other players.
• Set up limits on play time on weekdays and weekends.
• Specify what spending is allowed and ensure a password is applied to any credit cards. - Unplug the console and box it up ready to wrap and gift.
Following these steps not only means there will be no waiting to play, but you have configured the system safely and appropriately for your children. You will get reports of purchases via the email address you used to set up the accounts. You can also use the related apps associated with each console to see what your child is playing and how long they are spending with each game.
Once your family gets used to the new console, it’s worth checking back with your child to see how the settings are working for them. You may want to adjust the limits as you grow in confidence together, and as they get older.
Bringing a new gaming console into the home can feel like a big step, but follow the advice here and you can be confident it’s safe and healthy. It can take some time up-front but it’s well worth it.
Some useful links for more information if you still have issues:
Author: Andy Robertson, is a family gaming expert who appears in The Guardian, BBC and national broadcasts. He wrote the Taming Gaming book for families.
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