Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Mobile App Gets Another Minor Update

I’m sure glad we never had all these parental controls when I was young. My mum’s form of “control” was to take the RF cable from the NES when I was naughty. This worked until I got a SNES, when she took that cable I simply got the old one from the NES out the wardrobe to resume...

Irresponsible Parents:

It's not just about stopping kids from playing inappropriate games. It also allows time restrictions. Yes, you can just take the Switch. But what about the parents who are at work? Gonna come home during lunch to take the Switch, or take it with you and now they can't play at the whole day? Maybe parents are just allowing a few hours a day, and this app will restrict that without having to physically take it away every day.

@Snatcher You're missing the point of the controls. I use the app and it's really useful. You seem to be assuming that when you become a parent you yourself stop playing games. I buy games for myself I don't want my kids playing, so I can control that. It also allows me to keep an eye on playtime, so I can make sure they don't spend their entire lives being on a screen.

@Snatcher Again, totally missing the point. I do know exactly what games my kids own, or can access, because I am able to control that in the app. You don't just download the app, and ignore it and the kids from there on in. The app isn't a parenting AI.

Love the picture. Bowser checking out Bowser Jr's play times.

This app is pretty good. My daughter is really getting into gaming. Latest game is Pikmin. While I’m really happy about it she needs to learn there is more to life than Pikmin - I wish there wasn’t but unfortunately there is- and the app helps keep tabs on what happening behind that closed bedroom door.

I just use it as another way to track my playtimes because I'm weird and like seeing these kinds of things. Those monthly reports are kinda cool, too.

@RIC616 I'm talking about the ad for the parental controls it said you can use it to see what your kids are playing and I responded to that with how don't you know what your kids have if your buying the games, I was just saying it was pointless but some kids may sneak a game in and the parent knows what game it is they bought with there on cash. I was just poking fun at the ad thats all.

Heh. I get it. A "minor" update

I remember back when I was a kid, parental control meant my mother breaking any games (CD's) she didn't like, first it was my copy of Full Throttle ("it's too violent!"), then Tomb Raider ("is that a pornographic game?!")

@Clyde_Radcliffe Have you seen the video that explains how the app works? It's great!

https://youtu.be/03bAayBtcb0

It’s a great app. I use it to track play time

@Bl4ckb100d That's ruff buddy.

So I deleted my other comments cus they where really stupid but For my real thoughts on the matter its a great app for parents that need help with watching there kids cuz they can't be there for every little thing, and it has settings for any typ of family, You know what they say family's come in all shape and sizes.

@Snatcher Thanks. I appreciate you looking back at your earlier comments.

It’s especially nice with stay at home school due to Covid. I have it set to block play during the day. When they show their school work is done, I move the allowed play time from zero to either a set amount of time or wide open (depending what’s going on).

I use this and like it, but I don't really trust the stats. Very slow/laggy.

It needs the other half of play limits. A bed time that only locks it until Nintendo's arbitrary choice of 6AM means I have to set my Switch to a timezone four hours to my west to keep my kids off it on school days. (May any who post a snarky response be blessed with many morning people children.)