Understanding Nintendo Wii Parental Controls

What you need to know about Nintendo's Wii Parental Controls:

Nintendo's Wii Parental Controls allows the parent to manage what content can be accessed by the Wii user. The Wii allows parents to control the "Highest Game Rating Allowed" for video games which is based on the ESRB rating. Parents also have control over all of the Internet access points, such has the Internet channel, News channel, Online Communication and User Created Content and the use of Points.

Setting the Parental Controls

The 4-digit PIN must be set before any of the Parental Control options can be set. To set the PIN follow these steps:

1. Go to the Wii System Settings
2. Go to the Wii System Settings 2 menu options by clicking on the blue arrow
3. Select "Parental Controls" and select "Yes."
4. Enter the 4-digit PIN and select "OK"
5. You can now select the highest game rating that will be allowed to be played on the Wii. Do so by setting selecting the "Highest Video Game Setting" ERSB rating your wish to have set. Remember this will not be applied to Nintendo GameCube Game Discs.
6. You can now select "Other Settings" to set Parental Controls over the other Internet access options. Control access to the Internet Channel, News Channel, set controls over the sending and receiving of messages (Wii Message Board), other channels like the Check Mii Out Channel. Also control Use of Points, players who want to download anything from the Wii Shop Channel will be required to provide the 4-digit PIN number in order to download.
7. Once you have selected all the settings you want in your Parental controls, then select "CONFIRM" to set them.