Xbox 360 Console Family Settings

On Xbox®, they were called "Parental Controls"; on Xbox 360™, this concept has expanded into the new Family Settings feature. Family Settings perform two functions on the Xbox 360 console.

When playing offline, Family Settings can be set to grant or restrict access to games based on the PEGI rating. When playing online, Family Settings can be used to restrict access to content and contact based on the parent's choice.

Controlling the Console
Console Controls come into play whenever Xbox 360 is turned on, and help parents keep an eye not just on games, but movies and online access as well.

Access Family Settings from the System blade.

Get to Family Settings from the System blade, and from the next menu select Console Controls. Console Controls include:

The Console Controls menu.

• Game ratings: Xbox 360 reads from the disc what PEGI (Pan European Games Information) rating a given game has received. Select the games you want your child to play, from 3+ to 18+
• Original Xbox games: Original Xbox games do not include the same kind of encoded data as Xbox 360 games, meaning Xbox 360 doesn't know the PEGI ratings of original Xbox games. Therefore, you can either disallow all original Xbox games, or allow all of them. Your call.
• Set pass code: Log in with your Passport Network account to set a separate pass code that will keep your Family Settings protected and ensure that you are the only one that can access or change them.
• Turn off Family Settings: No kids? No problem! Shut down Family Settings here.