Got my 8yo a gaming PC and setup parental controls - success so far

Dec 71 min read

Bought a used PC off Facebook Marketplace ($300) and set it up in the living room where I can see the screen. Used Windows Parental Controls to limit game time, set age restrictions, monitored browser history. He can game but it's all visible and time-boxed. Way better than him secretly being on my laptop. Just sharing because a lot of people jump straight to "no gaming" but managed gaming in your own space might be the move.

12 comments407 views

Comments(12)

RRandy S.RegularDec 8

$300 used is such a smart move instead of dropping $1k on new. Does it actually handle current games ok or is he mostly playing older stuff?

WWade G.RegularDec 8

Good call keeping it visible. The kids who sneak gaming are the ones whose parents don't know what they're playing. You can actually be like 'oh yeah, I know you're stuck on level 7, let me watch' without making it surveillance-y.

PPaul M.RegularDec 8

This is the way. I did something similar and having it in shared space meant I could casually see what he was playing, not in a creepy surveillance way but just present. Plus he felt less like it was hidden, which made him less sneaky about it

JJoel F.RegularDec 9

Wait you set this up yourself? That's impressive. Most dads I know would just hand over a PC and call it a day. Did you teach your 8yo about the controls or just let them figure it out?

CChris R.RegularDec 9

Living room setup is smart - you actually know what they're doing instead of guessing. Parental controls though: did you also talk to your 8yo about WHY there are limits? If they understand the reason it usually goes better than just enforcing it mysteriously.

HHank C.RegularDec 9

How long before they ask to remove the parental controls? Asking because my 8yo cracked mine in like 2 weeks lol. Might be worth having a conversation now about what happens if/when they try to bypass it, rather than being surprised.

IIan P.RegularDec 8

What games did you end up allowing? I'm trying to figure out what's actually appropriate for 8yo without going full narc parent about it.

JJason K.New DadDec 9

How'd you decide on the specific games allowed? That seems harder than the time limits tbh. My 9yo will play literally anything and I'm always second-guessing whether certain games are actually fine

SSteve B.RegularDec 10

This is solid. The used PC is the right call - makes it feel special without the guilt of a $1500+ investment. Question: are you monitoring browsing too or just letting them game within the restrictions? 8yo with browser access could stumble into weird stuff.

LLeo R.New DadDec 10

this is solid. the living room placement is key - so many parents hide the gaming setup in a bedroom and then have no idea what's happening. visibility + structure beats most parenting problems

SSawyer N.RegularDec 9

Real question though - how long have you had it set up? The real test is whether he's still cool with parental controls after the novelty wears off or if you're gonna get push-back. That's where the challenge actually starts

BByron S.RegularDec 10

Parental controls on Windows are solid but heads up - as he gets older and tech-savvy he might figure out workarounds. Not saying he will, but just know the controls aren't failsafe, they're just guardrails. The transparency about what he's playing matters more than the software