Nintendo Switch Parental Controls (including YouTube!)

The Nintendo Switch is Amazing

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Since its release in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been a wonderful replacement for the movement-oriented Wii that has surprisingly lasted for over a decade. Quite predictably, Nintendo is now expanding the number of apps available for use on the gaming console through its eShop Store.

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YouTube was added in November 2018. However, few sites have shown parents exactly how to handle this addition. YouTube is both fabulous and frightful. It’s a swamp of inappropriate, violent trash surrounded by lush meadows of hilarious cat videos. This and other video apps added to the Switch are worthy of attention.

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They have also been adding more and more mature titles, such as DOOM, Blasphemous II, and Mortal Kombat 1. But not all of them are just violent, many have strong sexual themes. That’s correct, mature games do exist on the Switch (a total of 2,000+ titles), which is another reason we recommend setting up your console properly.

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How to set up Nintendo Switch Parental Controls:

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We have identified 10 simple steps that will help you set up parental controls on the Nintendo Switch and keep your family safe, even from popular apps like YouTube and Hulu. By using the Nintendo Switch Parent Control app (available on Google Play and the App Store) you can easily control your Switch.

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Here’s an easy instructional video from our friends at Bark:

https://youtu.be/RPR_4_zHEZs

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Using this app should cover most of what you need to keep your family protected while using the Switch. But what if you don’t have a Nintendo account? Is there a way to set up controls without the app? What if your kid gets around the controls?

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Don’t worry! We got you covered, just follow these 10 simple steps:

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1. Create user profiles on the Switch console (instructions).
2. Create Nintendo accounts (instructions) and
3. Assign Family Roles (instructions).
4. Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app for iPhone or Android.
5. Link the Smartphone App to the Nintendo Switch Console (instructions).
6. Link Nintendo accounts to the Switch user profiles (instructions).
7. You can also restrict access to certain aspects of the Nintendo eShop Store without the app (instructions). Important to note that both the Hulu and YouTube apps are rated “Teen” in the eShop.Related link: How to reset your parental controls pin.

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Use a Gryphon Router
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8. Have a great router in your home with parental controls to add an extra layer of safety.

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I (Chris) use a Gryphon AX to run PYE from my home and protect my four kiddos from online harm. I won’t recommend what I haven’t already tried on my kids!

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Don’t forget: controlling the router is the key to controlling all internet-ready devices in your home.

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This is a really important step. Even after you’ve set everything up, a child with an email can easily make a new account and add a new user profile to the Switch. If they add an account, they can circumvent the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app or the eShop Store controls.

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With a Gryphon Router, even if they made their own account and downloaded YouTube without your permission, Restricted Mode (a fairly effective content filter for YouTube) would be locked on the Switch. In fact, Gryphon Routers force Restricted Mode on YouTube across all internet-connected devices in your home, all you need to do is set it up!

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And if your router has always baffled you, don’t worry! We’ve written your complete guide.

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Your Final Steps

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9. Look your kids in the eyes and tell them exactly what your expectations are for how the Switch is used!
10. Check the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone to see how your child is doing with screen time.And, that’s it! The set-up is so important. We really hope this helps keep your family protected online. If this post was helpful, please share it with a friend!

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A note about the Nintendo Switch Online app. As of March 2022, users can display their online status on the app. By clicking on the settings within the app, users can choose to display their status to All Friends, Best Friends, or No One. Changing the setting on the app will also change it on the console. In July 2022, users can copy their ‘Friend Code’ as a URL or QR code to give to other users to become friends. Users can also add other users’ friend codes in the app to become friends. It should be known that anyone who has the Friend Code URL or QR code will be able to send that user a friend request.

What if I have more questions? How can I stay up to date?

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Two actions you can take!

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1. Subscribe to our tech trends newsletter, the PYE Download. About every 3 weeks, we’ll share what’s new, what the PYE team is up to, and a message from Chris.
2. Ask your questions in our private parent community called The Table! It’s not another Facebook group. No ads, no algorithms, no asterisks. Just honest, critical conversations and deep learning! For parents who want to “go slow” together. Become a member today!

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