Just recently did this with XBox.

I cannot prevent the kid from seeing the marketplace.

I cannot prevent the kid from seeing installed games that are rated Mature. It won't let them play it, but it lists all the games installed in the XBox.

I cannot prevent them from downloading free stuff.

It was frustrating and clear to me that this wasn't designed for the benefits of parents.

I just want it to act like a console with a fixed set of games installed and no marketplace access.

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rsync 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

These are not mistakes.

These are not implementation errors or miscommunication between different business units.

What you are witnessing is an intentional setting of a revenue dial to the maximum allowable setting that still permits the original sale.

	▲	wojciii 38 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		> These are not implementation errors or miscommunication between different business units. I don't think the companies such as Google, Microsoft, Valve or Nintendo* have a Child Safety business unit. If they did, the software they produce would work and I would be able set some sane settings once when creating a group of users which contain children. What I am experiencing is user hostility when trying to limit who can chat or influence my children. The UI is usually horrible and some devices have no way of limiting or whitelisting what games can be played by children. * Fuck you for not requiring TVs to implement the features required to use child users on TVs. ** Fuck you for making the of doing anything on the switch related to child-profiles a horrible experience.
	▲	BeetleB 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Well, the sale was to me. The kid came later. :-)
	▲	like_any_other an hour ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		A console is a computer controlled by a corporation. No other result could be expected.

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chaps 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Question: why do you give the device access to the internet?

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pixl97 10 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

Don't worry, next gen devices will come with a 5G device embedded that will always allow access to the market place and online gambling store.

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Lammy an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

“Fortunately, we have a product for people who aren't able to stay connected; it's called Xbox 360” -- Don Mattrick

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topikk 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Sounds like the parent(s) use it as well

> I cannot prevent the kid from seeing installed games that are rated Mature.

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DebugDruid 29 minutes ago | parent [-]

Can someone explain the problem with 'mature' rated games? As kids (under 10), we played Mortal Kombat and GTA III, laughing when we interacted with hookers in GTA. It was fun, and we had a great time playing these games. What's the issue? It's no different from playing with a wooden sword and shield.

	▲	explorigin 14 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Go type this into perplexity: "Are there any health studies about what exposure to pornography does to childhood development?" Here's another good one: "Are there any health studies about what exposure to violence or horror does to childhood development?" There is a reason that rating systems exist and that we shelter children from these things. The pre-rebuttal that you posted "this was common in my childhood" is no indicator that this was a healthy behavior for you or the masses.
	▲	ccppurcell 8 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		My dad says the same thing about seatbelts.

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soulofmischief an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

An increasing number of games are requiring always-online or online-on-boot validation, so this option is becoming less reasonable.

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BeetleB 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Because I too use the XBox.

And because there are definitely benefits of Internet access. Saved games, for example.

But yeah, fair point. I should configure router to selectively enable/disable access to that device while the kid uses it to see how usable it is. It may just be good enough for his games

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dTal an hour ago | parent [-]

You can't even save games without an internet connection? sheesh...

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NooneAtAll3 an hour ago | parent [-]

people can't even listen to music without internet, so this isn't surprising xD

	▲	schwartzworld 41 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		You can. The same devices that run Spotify will happily play your mp3 collection.

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techjamie 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Based on another comment parent made, the Xbox was there before the kid, so presumably they don't want to handicap their own experience using it, just limit their kid's. Which should, by all respects, be a reasonable thing to want.

	▲	chaps 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Microsoft really needs to let parents have their cake, too.