Steam: Family Controls and Purchase Approvals
Steam provides family tools that let a parent control what a child can do on the platform: restricting which games in the library the child can play, limiting access to the store, community forums and chat, and handling purchases by approval — a child can request a game and the parent approves (and pays) from their own account.
Published: 2026-02-28
What Changed
Steam provides family tools that let a parent control what a child can do on the platform: restricting which games in the library the child can play, limiting access to the store, community forums and chat, and handling purchases by approval — a child can request a game and the parent approves (and pays) from their own account. Access to the controls is protected so the child cannot simply switch them off. As with all PC gaming, controls on Steam do not cover games obtained outside it.
What to Review
- •Make sure no stored payment method is exposed on the child's side, use purchase approvals rather than a shared wallet, and talk about who they play and chat with online.
Parent Actions
- 1Set up Steam's family options for your child's account and review which games they can access, checking age ratings as you go.
Full app guide
View the complete Steam safety guide
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
Sources
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-01