Microsoft lets parents set time limits for children per app and game

Microsoft has expanded parental controls with the ability to set time limits and schedules per app or game. For example, parents can set a child to play a specific game on an Xbox for one hour per day.

It was already possible to limit screen time via parental controls, now you can do this specifically per app or per game, explains Microsoft. This works through family groups, which can be created and managed via family.microsoft.com. Parents then have a primary account, under which children’s accounts hang. Then parents can set per device how long a child can play a game or use an app. Parents can also indicate in which period that playing time can be used.

The time limits are displayed when starting a game. For example, the Xbox One shows a message that a game can be played for 60 minutes if that limit is set. A warning will also appear when the time is about to expire. Kids can then send a message requesting more playtime. Parents can handle such requests via email or the Microsoft Launcher for Android.

The new features are included in the October update for Xbox One, which will be released on Wednesday. Last year, Microsoft already introduced other parental controls on the Xbox One, such as limiting crossplay with other platforms.