Family Settings perform two functions on the Xbox 360 console. When playing offline, they can be set to grant or restrict access to games based on the ESRB rating. When playing online, they can be used to restrict access to content and contacts based on the parent's choice.
With Xbox LIVE Family Settings, you can set different levels of protection for online gameplay, online communications, and downloading member content or items from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
Xbox LIVE Family Settings let you:
Control access to all the features of Xbox LIVE.
Set a pass code to limit who can change your Family Settings.
Decide what your kids can play, both online and off.
Decide who your child can communicate with online.
Control who can see your child's profile or friends list.
Managing Xbox LIVE Activity Xbox LIVE Controls come into play only when you take Xbox 360 online, and they're linked to a child's profile and gamertag. When an Xbox LIVE account is created, the service asks for the member’s age to determine whether to apply Family Settings to that account.
Parents are also required to create or use an existing Windows Live ID. The Windows Live ID is associated with the child’s Xbox LIVE account and protects the settings from being changed later by the child. To change a child’s settings, first select the child’s account name and connect to Xbox LIVE. Once signed in, enter your Windows Live ID password to unlock the settings.
To see these controls, go to My Xbox, open System Settings, then select Family Settings, Xbox LIVE Controls.
Xbox LIVE Controls settings include:
Online Gameplay: Before you can play multiplayer games online, you need an Xbox LIVE Gold Membership. Once that's in place, this option allows you to decide if your child can play Xbox 360 games online.
Privacy and Friends: You have the power to approve your child's online friends. Let your child communicate with anybody or only with their friends, decide who can see your child's personalized profile, control who sees your child's online or offline status, and more.
Note
Your child's name, location, and bio are visible to anyone you allow to view your child's profile.
Voice and Text: Select "Everyone" to allow your child to communicate using voice and text with anyone on Xbox LIVE. Select "Friends Only" to allow your child to communicate only with people on their friends list. Select "Blocked" to prevent everyone from communicating with your child. No matter what the setting, your child will still be able to receive new friend requests for you to approve or block.
Video: Select "Everyone" to allow your child to communicate using video chat with anyone on Xbox LIVE. Select "Friends Only" to allow your child to communicate only with people on their friends list. Select "Blocked" to prevent everyone from communicating with your child.
Content: You can choose to allow your child to see or download game updates, demos, and other content.
Managing the Console Xbox 360 console Family Settings govern restrictions for offline gameplay. See Xbox 360 Console Family Settings for more information.
