How to Set Up Parental Controls EA and Origin Games

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

• What defines a Child Account
• Create a Child Account on Origin
• Understand what limitations a Child Account has

Before We Begin:

• Be at your computer

2. Platform Check

EA, Electronic Arts, the company that makes the Origin game launcher, also makes games for game consoles.

On those game consoles, the settings, such as Parental Controls, are managed by the console itself, rather than the EA Account.

If your child is playing EA games on a game console, it's best to review the Parental Controls in place for that platform, rather than for the EA account directly.

3. Child & Adult Accounts

Electronic Arts, or EA, offers limited Parental Controls for their accounts.

EA Account Types

Child Account - Under 13

EA considers all people under 13 children in the United States.

• Cannot play online
• Cannot log into EA websites
• Cannot create help tickets with EA
• Cannot make purchases
• Cannot connect games to their social media accounts

When your child becomes old enough (based on birthdate), the account will automatically "age up", and become a full Adult Account.

Adult Account - Over 13

EA considers all people over 13 adults in the United States.

• Can play online
• Can log into EA websites
• Can create help tickets with EA
• Can make purchases
• Can connect games to their social media accounts

You cannot "Age Down" an account and turn an Adult Account into a Child Account.

When it comes to controlling the content your child has access to, EA offers no management tools. You will need to work with your child and actively engage with the content and your child, to help them make choices you deem appropriate.

EA does provide ESRB ratings on their games, to provide a guide to help you make these decisions.

4. ESRB Ratings

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings provide guidance about video games and apps so that you can make informed choices about the ones you deem suitable for your family.

The ESRB is a single group, and only provides opinions on content. They are there to help give you an overview of the themes present in a game, not make decisions what is best for your child.

Parts of ESRB Ratings

• Rating Categories suggest age appropriateness.
• Content Descriptors indicate content that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern.
• Interactive Elements highlight interactive or online features of a product, including users' ability to interact with each other, the sharing of users' location with other users, if purchases of digital goods or services are offered, and/or if unrestricted internet access is provided.

You can find the ESRB ratings on the front of physical games, with the content descriptor on the back.

Box Front

A small logo will be printed on the front of the game box, or prominently in the online store for the game.

Rating Pending

Games, but usually just promotional material for games, that the ESRB hasn't rated yet.

Early Childhood

Games designed for a preschool audience. No content that parents would find objectionable.

Everyone

Games that the ESRB believes to be "generally suitable for all ages". There may be infrequent mild or cartoon violence.

Everyone 10+

Games that the ESRB believes is still acceptable to everyone, but may have more mild or cartoon violence, mild language, crude humor, or suggestive content.

Teen

Games the ESRB finds suitable for teenagers. Things such as a moderate amount of violence, some language or adult themes, and crude humor.

Mature

Games the ESRB believes is generally suitable for people 17 or over. Realistic violence, strong adult themes, language, and so forth.

Adults Only

Games the ESRB believes are only suitable for adults 18 and over. Adult themes throughout, graphic depictions of adult themes, violence, and gambling with real-world money.

Content Descriptor

On the back of the box, a more expanded list of information about the rating, and a small list of why the rating was given is shown.

The primary information is repeated, here, just like the logo on the front. To the right, further information detailing what, exactly, gave it that rating. This is so you can make a more informed decision for your child.

ESRB
For further information, as well as to check the ratings before leaving home, you can always check the ESRB Website.

• ESRB Ratings (External)

5. Adult Account Check

In order to create an EA Child Account, you must have an EA Adult Account already setup.

6. Client Check

In order to continue, you will need to have the Origin client software installed on your computer.

7. Create Child Account

In the United States, EA considers all people over 13 years old adults.You must have an Adult Account already setup to create a Child Account

1. Open Origin.
   

1. Select Create an Account.
   

1. Make sure your country is selected. Enter your child's birthdate. Carefully read the User Agreement and Privacy and Cookie Policy, then place a checkmark to indicate you agree. Then, select Next.
   

1. Enter your Adult Account email address. Create a password for your Child's Account. Create a Public ID for your child, then select Create Account.
2. Use a different password for your Child's Account than your Adult Account. Your child will need to know the Child Account password to sign-in, but you do not want them signing in with your Adult Account, as well.

1. Your Child's Account is created, select Get Started.
   

Verify Child's Account

In order to complete setting up your child's account, you will need to click on a link sent to you by email.

1. Open your email as you normally do.
2. Look for an email from EA.
3. Carefully read the email message, and select the link to verify your email address.
   

1. A simple confirmation page is shown. Your Child's Account is now linked to your EA Adult Account fully.
   

8. OS Choice

To continue, we need to know what Operating System your computer is using.

There are 2 main Operating Systems for personal computers currently available, Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS.

Microsoft WindowsApple macOSMicrosoft Windows runs on computers produced by multiple companies, such as Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Toshiba, Hewlett Packard, Acer, and Sony.Apple is the only company that makes macOS computers.

9. Install Client (Windows)

1. Open your preferred browser, and visit the Origin Store Download Page.
   

1. Origin Client Download
2. Origin Client Download Page (External)
3. Under Windows, select Download.
   

1. Once the download has finished, Open the file.
   

1. Select Install Origin.
   

1. In most cases, the default options are fine. Carefully read the End User Licence Agreement, then when you understand and agree to it, place a check mark in the box. Finally select Continue.You may wish to remove the check mark for Run Origin when Windows starts so the program doesn't open up every time you turn on your computer.

1. 
   
   
2. You will be prompted to allow Origin to make changes to complete the install. Select Yes.
   

1. Origin is now installed, and you're ready to sign-in with your EA account.
   

10. Install Client (macOS)

1. Open your preferred browser, and visit the Origin Store Download Page.
   

1. Origin Client Download
2. Origin Client Download Page (External)
3. Under Mac, select Download.
   

1. Once the download has finished, Open the file.
   

1. Drag Origin into Applications.
   

1. Once the file has finished copying, you can safely Trash the Origin disk image. Drag the Origin disk image to the Trash on your Dock to unmount it.
   

1. Open Origin from Applications.
   

1. The first time you open Origin, you'll be reminded you downloaded it from the Internet, and asked if you want to open it. Select Open.
   

1. Carefully read the Software End User Licence Agreement. When you understand and agree to the terms, select Agree.
   

1. You'll be asked how you want to keep Origin and your games up to date. It's usually recommended to allow the program to take care of updates for you. Select Always keep Origin up to date.
   

1. Origin needs a helper program installed to function properly. Enter your Mac's password, then select Install Helper.
   

1. You will be offered some optional settings. Select OK to continue.You may wish to remove the check mark for Open Origin at login so the program doesn't open up every time you turn on your computer.

1. Origin is now installed, and you're ready to sign-in with your EA account.
   

11. Create Adult Account

1. Open your preferred browser and visit the EA Profile Page.
   

1. Electronic Arts Account Page
2. EA Account Login (External)
3. Select Create your EA Account on the right.
   

1. Enter your email address, then select Next.
   

1. Carefully read and fill in your information to create your EA Account. Once done, select Next.
   

1. If you want, enter your First and Last name, to make it easier for your friends to find you on EA games, then select Sign Up.
   

1. You are safe to select Skip if you intend to use this Adult account simply to manage a Child Account, or if you don't want people to be able to search for your EA account.
2. For security reasons, a Security Code will be sent to your email address. Check your email for this code. Once you receive the email, enter the six-digit Verification Code, then select Continue.
   

1. You have successfully setup your EA account for use on Origin, or in other EA games. Select Get Started.
   

EA Account Page
You may always visit the EA account page to make changes to your EA Account.

• EA Account Page (External)

12. Game Console Parental Controls

Each game console has slightly different Parental Controls available. We have a number of guides available for each game console to help you setup Parental Controls on each.

PlayStation 3

• Playstation 3 Parental Controls

Playstation 4

• PlayStation 4 Parental Controls

Xbox 360

• Xbox 360 Parental Controls

Xbox One

• Xbox One Parental Controls

Nintendo Switch

• Nintendo Switch Parental Controls

Nintendo Wii U

• Nintendo Wii U Parental Controls

Nintendo Wii

• Nintendo Wii Parental Controls

Nintendo 3DS

• Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls

Nintendo DS

• Nintendo DS Parental Control

13. Mobile Parental Controls

Android and iOS each have slightly different Parental Controls available. We have a number of guides available for each game console to help you setup Parental Controls on each.

Android

• Android Parental Controls

iOS

• iOS Parental Controls