While some people are against letting children play video games, it is important to note that there are some benefits that gaming can provide. Video games in moderation can provide stimulation, allow your child to experience new and exciting situations, and can even help improve cognitive function as well as hand and eye coordination. As with any technology though, it is important to make sure that you keep everything appropriate for children. Here are a few tips for figuring out the Xbox 360 parental controls.
How to Set Parental Controls on Xbox 360
If you visit Xbox 360 support, you will find the steps to set up the parental controls for your Xbox 360. The nice thing about this is that there are multiple ways that you can set up the parental controls for this console. You can either do it on the console itself, or you can do it with the Xbox Live parental controls.
On the Console
You can get into the Xbox parental controls simply by going into the settings and clicking on “family”. Then, select the gamer tag for the kids that you want to place restrictions on. You can click “change settings” from “privacy & online settings”. You can then adjust this as needed and update the changes to save and apply them.
From Your Computer with Xbox Live
Another option for the parental controls Xbox 360 offers is to log in to your Xbox Live account and then go to “my account”. You then want to select “Security, Family, and Forums” to go into Xbox 360 online safety. From here you can either allow or block various options with the settings.
Various Options on Xbox 360 Parental Controls
There are several aspects of the parental controls that you can select with the Xbox 360. The most important of these is the rating and content. This means you can choose what level of games your child can play such as E, 10 and up, Teen, or Mature games. The nice thing about this is that you can establish exceptions to the rating system for certain games if you choose. You can also set a timer that only allows the child to play for so long on either a daily or weekly level. You will also be able to choose whether or not your child can access Xbox Live or create new Xbox accounts.
Steps for Xbox 360 Parental Control Reset
Resetting the password for the Xbox 360 parental controls does not have to be too difficult. All you need to do is go to the “family” section in settings. From there you will enter the 4-digit password and then select change passcode. You will have to select this twice in a row and then you will be prompted to enter a new passcode. Put this in, hit done, save and exit.
If you do not remember the parental control passcode you created for the console, follow the beginning of the above instructions, but when you get to the part where you enter the passcode just put in any combination of numbers. Then a screen will tell you that the passcode was incorrect and you will have the option to reset the passcode. Then all you need to do is answer the security question and you can reset the passcode.
Setting Parental Controls on the Xbox One
While the Xbox One is still a new system, if you have one, then it is important to understand how you can adjust the parental controls on this console. With this, every user on the console that is under the age of 8 will automatically have parental controls set for them. If the child is 8 through 17 then they have unrestricted access unless an adult changes the settings. Adults on the system have no restrictions.
Any adult that is in the family (on the system) can change the parental controls for the Xbox One. However, adults will only be able to adjust the settings for children, not adults. To do this, simply sign in to your account and go to the menu. Click on settings and go to Family. You will then be able to select the child’s account and adjust their settings.
Great Ideas for Kid-Friendly Games
There are many kid-friendly games that have been created for the Xbox 360. The thing parents will have to look at the age range for the game as well as their child’s interest along with their own parental instincts to determine the games that will be suitable for their children.
Here are a few games that children tend to love:
- Kinect Disneyland Adventures- Kinect has many great game options, but this one is perfect for children of all ages. Anyone who loves going to Disneyland will love getting to play this game.
- Kinectimals- If your child loves animals, then this can be the perfect digital pet as they can interact with the child using the Kinect.
- Sonic Generations- This is perfect for the whole family, especially parents who grew up with Sonic. It is a game that can be played solo or in a group.
- Kinect Adventures- This is perfect for both younger and older children as they will get to enjoy an adventure and it can be a great game to help get them used to using a gaming console or the Kinect.
- Epic Mickey and Epic Mickey 2- These fun games are perfect for children who love Mickey and enjoy being able to paint things as Mickey is using his paintbrush to bring back the colour to this world. There are even special controllers that can be purchased for this game that look like a paintbrush.
You can also choose to go with games fashioned after your child’s favourite movie or TV show. Some of the most popular options for games derived from movies include Harry Potter, Lego Indiana Jones, and The Lego Movie game. There are also games based on shows such as Spongebob Squarepants and Penguins of Madagascar.
Family Activities with the Xbox 360
The good news is that the Xbox does not just have to be something where your child immerses themselves for hours at a time, away from the rest of the family. You can find ways to make the gaming experience also a wonderful way to bond as a family.
There are many games that you can play with the entire family. This can be carnival games, sports games, or whatever you enjoy playing. There are over 1,100 games for the Xbox 360 which means that there are plenty of options to choose from when you are looking for a game. You can choose anything from board games on the system like Monopoly to sports games or trivia. Even musical games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero can be fun to enjoy with the whole family. It is a good idea to have several games that you can switch to from time to time so that you do not get bored.
Keep in mind that you can play one-on-one with your child for individual time or you can all play as a family. Most games that are multiplayer allow for several players so everyone can play at once. This can be a fun experience and a great way to teach your children about healthy competition and being a good sport.
The Xbox 360 is one of the most popular gaming systems on the market. While it may not be the newest system out there, it can be the perfect way to get your children involved in video games. This can help to introduce them to technology and create a healthy love of gaming. You may even find that your children will go on to become video game programmers. Even if they do not, there are many benefits that can come from playing video games in moderation – and with parental controls that ensure their safety.