Steam Safety Settings

Steam is a gaming platform where people can buy, download and play computer games, keep their games in one library and receive updates. It also offers text and voice chat, groups, game discussions and community content. For teenagers, the appeal can include playing with friends, discovering games and sharing an interest in gaming. Younger children may also be drawn to games they see friends or siblings playing, although Steam accounts require users to be at least 13. Understanding Steam safety settings helps families manage both the games and the social features.

This guide helps parents and teenagers understand the available controls for games, contact, playtime, purchases and account security. Because Steam combines a game store with social features, choosing an appropriate game is only part of the safety conversation. The sections below explain what each covered setting does, how to use it and where its protection ends, alongside practical advice for checking the separate controls inside each game.

Age Rating and Child Safety Warning

Steam’s Subscriber Agreement sets a minimum account age of 13. A child role in a family does not make Steam suitable for younger children. Individual games have separate content ratings and may include adult themes, gambling style purchases or public multiplayer.

For parents, account age, a mobile app store rating and a game’s content rating answer different questions. Check the rating of each specific game and edition before approving it. This guide does not claim that a family invitation verifies someone’s age or identity.

Where age or identity evidence is requested, use only the official Steam process and read the accompanying privacy information. Do not send identity documents to people in chat. No universal Irish biometric age check or parent identity verification requirement is established here.

Steam Safety Settings for Family Restrictions

For parents, Steam Families provides account restrictions for child members. Begin with the parent account, then check the teenager’s account separately. These controls do not replace settings provided by a game developer.

Create a family and link the teenager’s account

Steam Families brings household accounts together. Use separate accounts and assign the teenager the child role so parental controls can apply.

• Sign in to the parent’s account and open Account Details from the account menu.
• Select Family Management, then Create a Family and enter a family name.
• Next, select Invite a Member, choose the teenager’s account and add it as a Child.
• Sign in to the teenager’s account and accept the family invitation.

Why it matters: For parents, the child role matters more than the family name. Only trusted household members should have adult management permissions. Joining a family does not make an underage account eligible.

Enable parental controls

However, linking an account and enabling its restrictions are separate tasks. Next, check that the controls are active before the teenager starts playing.

• Open Account Settings, then Family Management and Manage in the parent’s account.
• Expand the child’s entry and switch on Enable Parental controls.
• Configure game access, feature access and playtime in the panel that appears.

Why it matters: As a result, the selected restrictions apply to that child account. An unrestricted alternative account or access to an adult account can weaken the family’s arrangements.

Choose the games the child may play

Approve individual titles after reviewing their content and online features. A shared library can contain adult games alongside family games.

• Then, open Account Settings, Family Management and Manage.
• Expand the child’s entry under Enable Parental controls.
• Use the game search and Allowed games list to select reviewed titles. Remove permission for unsuitable games. This permission does not download a game.
• Sign in as the child and check the permitted library together.

Why it matters: For example, a suitable age rating does not remove multiplayer contact or purchases. Also, review new additions, downloadable content and each game’s own communication settings.

Restrict the Store, Community and Friends Chat

Family controls can restrict Steam features separately from game access. Choose which features the child actually needs.

• Open Account Settings, Family Management and Manage.
• Expand the child’s entry and find feature access under Enable Parental controls.
• Restrict Steam Store, Community and Friends Chat as appropriate.
• Next, check the restricted features from the child’s account.

Why it matters: However, game developers may provide their own chat, servers and external accounts. Steam feature restrictions should be paired with the settings inside every approved game.

Set daily limits and permitted play periods

Use both a daily allowance and a permitted schedule. As a result, this supports agreed breaks, school routines and bedtime.

• Open Account Settings, Family Management and Manage.
• Expand the child’s entry and turn on Set playtime limits.
• Select a day and set its Time Limit. Blue schedule blocks permit play, while grey blocks prevent it. Choose the permitted periods, then select Confirm.
• Then, open Playtime and select the child to review their activity. Check the restriction with the child’s account.

Why it matters: For parents, an enforced Steam limit differs from a reminder to stop. It does not provide a universal limit for other launchers, browsers or devices. In addition, agree what happens when a game is mid session.

Review Steam Family Access Requests

Children can request extra playtime or access to restricted features. Review the actual permission before agreeing.

• In the adult’s account, open Account Settings > Family Management > Requests.
• Review the pending request and its proposed time or feature access. Select Approve to continue, or Decline to refuse.
• If approving, review and complete the time or feature access confirmation. Then return to the child’s controls and check the resulting permissions.

Why it matters: An exception can weaken an otherwise useful restriction. Request screens differ across clients, mobile and web. Check the permission summary rather than assuming every approval expires automatically.

Official guidance: Review Steam Family Access Requests.

Illustrated guidance: Internet Matters Steam parental controls walkthrough. Its desktop screenshots show the family tabs, allowed games and playtime controls.

Steam Safety Settings for Purchase Requests

A child can ask an adult in the Steam Family to pay for a cart without sharing payment credentials.

• In the child’s account, add the intended games to the shopping cart. Choose the family purchase request option during checkout.
• In the adult’s account, review the request through Steam’s mobile notification or its email. Check the account and official destination before signing in.
• Check every item, the recipient account, total price and any subscription terms. Select Decline for an unwanted request.
• If you agree, select Approve and complete payment through the adult’s account. Then check the receipt and the child’s library.

Why it matters: Approved games belong to the child’s account. This workflow does not establish that every other payment route is blocked. Review Store access, wallet funds and independently billed game purchases separately.

Official guidance: Steam Safety Settings for Purchase Requests.

Valve’s illustrated Steam Families overview shows the purchase request buttons. However, the surrounding layout may differ on your device.

Steam Safety Settings and Why They Matter

Steam Safety Settings for Profile Visibility

For example, profile privacy controls what other Steam members can see. Therefore, use a restrictive profile setting and review its subcategories.

• Open the teenager’s Steam profile.
• Next, select Edit Profile, then Privacy Settings.
• Choose Private, or Friends Only where appropriate.
• Then, review the additional privacy categories shown on the same page. Changes save automatically.

Why it matters: As a result, less account information is publicly visible. Profile privacy does not replace parental game permissions or prevent someone recognising a reused username.

Steam Privacy Settings for Individual Games

Game privacy hides ownership and activity for a particular game. It does not prevent the account owner launching that game.

• In the online Steam desktop client, open your Library. Right click the game, or select its gear icon on the game details page.
• Next, open Manage and select Mark as Private. The game’s Properties and Privacy area offers another route.
• Review the result in your profile games list. Keep parental game permissions separate, since a privacy choice does not restrict play.

Why it matters: This can reduce unwanted disclosure of a particular game. However, other players on the same multiplayer server can still see the Steam ID. Invited friends can see the game status during that session. Hiding a game in your own library is only an organisation tool.

Official guidance: Make individual Steam games private.

Steam Safety Settings for Store Content

Store preferences shape the content shown while browsing. Valve documents five mature content categories, alongside options for excluded tags and ignored products.

• Open Steam Store Preferences in the account the teenager uses. Sign in only on the official Steam website.
• Review the mature content choices at the top. Turn off categories you do not want shown, including General Mature Content and Frequent Violence or Gore.
• Review the separate sexual content categories: Some Nudity or Sexual Content, Frequent Nudity or Sexual Content and Adult Only Sexual Content. Do not enable adult content for a teenager.
• Scroll down to review excluded user tags and ignored products. Reopen the page to check your choices.
• Keep the child’s approved game list and Steam Store family restriction separate from these browsing preferences.

Why it matters: A content warning is not an enforced ban on launching a game. These choices also depend on content descriptors. Therefore, review individual titles and family permissions rather than relying on Store filtering alone.

Official guidance: Steam Safety Settings for Store Content.

Valve’s mature content descriptor reference lists the categories. Its content warning guidance explains how preferences trigger warnings. Available choices can differ by account and region.

Steam Safety Settings for Chat Text

Steam’s language filtering can obscure profanity and slurs in Steam Chat and supporting games. It is a text filter rather than a universal content blocker.

• Open Account Preferences, then Community Content Preferences.
• Configure the text filtering choices for profanity and slurs.
• Include messages from Steam Friends in filtering.
• Add unwanted words to the custom filtering list.

Why it matters: For example, friends’ text is not filtered by default under Valve’s documented rules. Filtering can miss altered spellings and does not assess voice chat, images or a person’s intentions.

Remove an unwanted Steam friend

Removing a friend ends that Steam relationship. Use blocking as well when contact is abusive or persistent.

• Next, open the person’s Steam profile.
• Select the … menu.
• Then, choose the unfriend option and confirm removal.

Why it matters: Similarly, a smaller friends list helps reduce unnecessary contact. Removal does not prevent a person using another account or contacting the teenager through a game or another service.

Block all communication from a player

Blocking addresses direct Steam contact. Report threatening, exploitative or fraudulent behaviour separately.

• Open the player’s Steam profile.
• Next, select the … menu.
• Select Block All Communication and confirm.

Why it matters: As a result, the blocked account cannot send Steam messages, friend or group invitations, or comments on your profile and community items. Other games and services may require separate blocks.

Report an abusive or fraudulent account

Submit a specific report about the offending account. Avoid engaging with someone who pressures you to move the conversation elsewhere.

• Then, open the offending Steam profile and select ….
• Choose Report Player.
• Next, select the offence category and relevant violation.
• Describe what happened and select Submit Report.

Why it matters: For parents, reporting helps Valve review the actual behaviour. Also, keep usernames, dates and non explicit evidence, but do not download or forward sexual images involving children.

Control Steam game recording

Game recordings can preserve gameplay and private conversations. Therefore, decide what to capture before a session.

• In the desktop client, open Steam, Settings and Game Recording.
• Choose Off/Don’t record to stop Steam recording. Alternatively, choose Record on Demand for deliberate captures instead of Record in Background.
• If you allow recording, review the audio choices in Game Recording. Exclude microphone or other program audio that you do not intend to capture.
• Next, open View and Recordings & Screenshots to review saved material. On Steam Deck, open Media from the main menu.
• Before using Share or Save/Share, check the clip for names and private conversations. Avoid creating a share link for sensitive material.

Why it matters: Turning recording off does not erase existing clips or copies shared elsewhere. A Steam share link expires after two days, but recipients can retain copies. Also, separate recording software needs its own check.

Official guidance: Control Steam game recording.

Steam Safety Settings for Broadcasting

Broadcasting can expose gameplay and other information to viewers. Turn it off when the teenager does not need to stream.

• Then, open Steam, then Settings in the desktop client.
• Select Broadcasting.
• Next, choose Broadcast is disabled.
• If a broadcast is running, open the Steam Overlay and select Stop in its broadcast panel.

Why it matters: However, other recording or streaming software has separate controls. Where streaming is allowed, check microphone and desktop capture, since these can reveal conversations or open windows.

Report a harmful broadcast

A live broadcast may contain unsuitable or abusive content. Leave the broadcast after making a relevant report.

• Open the broadcast window or page.
• Then, select Report under the broadcast.
• Provide the relevant details in the reporting flow.

Why it matters: In addition, Valve may retain some or all of a reported broadcast for review. Reporting does not guarantee immediate removal or replace urgent safeguarding support.

Steam Safety Settings for Remote Play

Remote Play streams a game from the host computer to another device. Therefore, turn it off when your family does not need it.

• Open the desktop Steam client on the computer that hosts the games.
• Select Steam, then Settings and Remote Play.
• Turn Enable Remote Play off. Then reopen this panel and check that it remains off.
• Keep the parent and teenager on separate Steam accounts. Never give another person the parent’s account credentials for remote access.
• If you later enable the feature, close private documents and messages before a session. Supervise who connects.

Why it matters: Remote Play Anywhere uses the same account on both devices and can expose the host desktop outside a game. In contrast, Remote Play Together invites friends to supported local multiplayer games. Neither feature replaces child account controls or supervision.

Official guidance: Steam Safety Settings for Remote Play.

The NVIDIA Steam Link setup guide also illustrates the desktop Remote Play settings panel.

Add a Steam Guard mobile authenticator

Protect both parent and teenager accounts with an additional sign in check. Use the official Steam Mobile app.

• Sign in to Steam Mobile and open Steam Guard.
• Select Add authenticator.
• Next, enter the phone number and confirmation code requested, or follow the displayed option if you cannot access a number.
• Finally, store the recovery code securely before completing setup.

Why it matters: As a result, a stolen password alone is less useful to an attacker. Never share codes or approve an unexpected sign in. Follow the current setup screen if older help instructions differ.

Keep backup authentication codes safely

Backup codes help when the usual authenticator is unavailable. Keep them away from a shared gaming computer.

• Open the account menu and select Account Details.
• Then, select Manage Steam Guard, then Get Backup Codes.
• Enter the confirmation code Steam sends.
• Print or securely store the backup codes where the account owner can recover them.

Why it matters: For parents, recovery planning prevents rushed decisions during a lockout. Anyone with these codes may gain access, so do not share them through chat or store them in a public screenshot.

Transfer the authenticator to a new phone

Use the transfer process when changing phones. Keep access to the old device until the move succeeds.

• Install Steam Mobile on the new phone and sign in.
• Confirm the sign in using the existing authenticator.
• Open Steam Guard and select Move Authenticator.
• Enter the confirmation code and securely retain the recovery code displayed.

Why it matters: Finally, check that the new phone can authorise your own login before retiring the old one. If access has already been lost, use official Steam Support recovery.

Recover a linked child account

An adult can use family recovery after the child has belonged to the family for at least 30 days. This is an account access tool.

• Open Account Settings, Family Management and Manage.
• Expand the child’s entry.
• Select Recover Account and follow the recovery wizard.

Why it matters: For parents, recovery does not mean access to every private conversation. When the option is unavailable, use Steam Support rather than an unofficial recovery service.

Steam Safety Settings for Device Access

An old login can expose the account even when the password remains private. Therefore, check device access after using a shared computer.

• Open Steam Authorized Devices through the official Steam website. Sign in only on that site.
• First, review the listed devices. If anything looks unfamiliar, select Sign out everywhere and follow the confirmation prompts.
• Next, change the Steam password through official account support. Secure the linked email account and check the computer for malicious software.
• Finally, sign in again only on trusted devices. Review unexpected security change emails rather than dismissing them.

Why it matters: Ending sessions reduces unwanted account access. However, it does not reverse trades, purchases or information already copied. Keep Steam Guard enabled as an additional protection.

Official guidance: Review Steam devices and end unwanted sessions.

Respond to a stolen account

Act through the official help site if someone has taken over the account. However, ignore claims that recovery is impossible.

• Open Steam Support at help.steampowered.com.
• Select Help, I can’t sign in.
• Choose the stolen account or forgotten account details issue that applies.
• Follow the recovery process and provide ownership evidence only through official support.

Why it matters: However, a person claiming to be Steam staff in Steam Chat or Discord is not a legitimate account support route. Secure the associated email and check the device for malware.

Review Steam Remote Play Together Invitations

Together shares a supported game with invited players. It differs from streaming your own desktop through Remote Play Anywhere.

• Start a game that supports Remote Play Together on the host computer.
• Press Shift+Tab to open the Steam Overlay. In the friends list, right click only the intended friend and select Remote Play Together.
• After they accept, press Shift+Tab again and open the Remote Play icon in the overlay. Find the invited player’s name.
• Review the keyboard and mouse controls beside that player. Leave unnecessary input sharing disabled and review the session’s voice and volume choices.
• If the available input choices are unclear, stop the session. Use the verified Enable Remote Play off route above when remote play is not needed.

Why it matters: Valve confirms that hosts can limit keyboard and mouse sharing and that Together displays the game rather than the desktop. Screen layout varies, so inspect the current session rather than following an assumed icon position. A game session still carries voice and multiplayer risks.

Official guidance: Review Steam Remote Play Together Invitations.

Request help with an accidental purchase

For example, Steam’s standard game refund policy usually covers requests within 14 days and fewer than two hours of play. Other products have different conditions.

• Open Steam Support and sign in to the purchasing account.
• Select Purchases and the relevant transaction.
• Follow the refund option and explain the problem.
• Check the confirmation and outcome in your account or email.

Why it matters: For example, external keys and wallet cards do not receive Steam purchase refunds. DLC, used items and game purchases have separate rules. A request outside the standard limits can still be reviewed.

Cancel a Recurring Steam Subscription

Uninstalling a game does not cancel recurring payments. First, establish whether Steam or the publisher bills the subscription.

• Open the account menu and select Account Details in the account that pays.
• Select Manage subscriptions and open the active plan. Follow its cancellation option and confirm the change.
• Return to the plan to check the renewal status and paid expiry date. Retain the confirmation.
• Review past and upcoming charges in Account Details. If the game manages billing, use that game account to check and cancel its plan.

Why it matters: A cancelled Steam plan remains active until the paid term ends. Steam does not offer partial refunds for unused subscription time. Changing saved payment information is separate from cancelling renewal.

Official guidance: Cancel a Recurring Steam Subscription.

Cancel EA Play Billed Through Steam

EA Play has a documented cancellation sequence for memberships purchased through Steam. Check the billing platform before using these steps.

• Sign in to the Steam account that pays. Open Account Details and Manage subscriptions to find the recurring plan.
• Open the EA Play membership under Recurring Subscriptions. Select Cancel my subscription, then Apply.
• Recheck the membership’s renewal status and expiry date. Retain the cancellation confirmation.
• If EA, a console store or another service bills the membership, cancel with that provider instead. A Steam cancellation does not cancel a separately purchased membership.

Why it matters: Cancellation stops the next renewal when completed before the billing date. EA Play benefits remain until the paid membership expires. It does not automatically refund an earlier payment or remove saved games.

Official guidance: Cancel EA Play Billed Through Steam.

Access Your Steam Account Data

Steam’s Privacy Dashboard provides access to account information. First, review what you need before requesting permanent account deletion.

• Open Steam Support and sign in to your own account.
• Select My Account, then Data Related to Your Steam Account. You can also open the official account data dashboard directly.
• Open the relevant information categories. Review the displayed records and available account data controls.
• If you need a private copy of displayed information, use your browser’s save or print controls. Store it securely on your own device.
• For information or a request the dashboard does not resolve, follow the contact routes in Valve’s privacy policy. Complete ownership verification only through official Steam Support.

Why it matters: Valve describes structured HTML access through this dashboard. That does not establish a single ZIP download containing every record or game save. Keep any copy private, and do not send account records or recovery codes to someone claiming to verify your account.

Official guidance: Access Your Steam Account Data.

Request account deletion carefully

Account deletion can permanently remove games, items and wallet funds. Instead, a break from gaming does not require deleting the account.

• Open the official Account Deletion help page linked in References.
• Use its account deletion request route and provide the ownership evidence requested by Steam Support.
• First, save anything you want to keep and request eligible refunds before deletion.
• To cancel during the 30 day waiting period, sign in and select cancel in the red notification.

Why it matters: Finally, deletion becomes irreversible after Steam completes it and does not automatically refund purchases. Some community posts and comments can remain.

Using Steam Safety Settings Together

Check the parent’s setup

For parents, protect the adult login and recovery email before managing the child. Agree which household adults can grant exceptions. Also, keep bank details and authentication codes away from shared computers.

• Review each approved game’s chat, voice, server, cross platform and purchase options.
• Check that the child cannot simply use an unrestricted adult account.
• Agree how to handle gifts, new friends, downloadable content and requests for extra time.
• Review restrictions again after adding a game or changing devices.

Check the teenager’s setup

For young people, an online friend may not be who they claim to be. Tell a trusted adult if someone asks for secrecy, photographs, money or a move to a private service. You will not be blamed for asking for help.

• Use a nickname that does not reveal your school or home address.
• Refuse unexpected login approvals and keep recovery codes private.
• Check your profile visibility with a parent and review your friends together.
• Leave and report uncomfortable conversations instead of arguing with the sender.

Essential Safety Advice and Current Concerns

Scams, gifts and external contact

Steam’s Scam FAQ describes false report claims and trade scams. A message saying your account will be banned unless you contact an administrator can be a scam. Similarly, a friend’s compromised account can send believable links.

Never give away passwords, codes or items to prove your innocence. Avoid third party skin gambling and unofficial recovery services. In addition, treat requests to install a tournament client, cheat or unknown game demo with caution.

Understand what the settings cannot cover

A restricted Steam account can still leave gaps through other accounts, external launchers and communication services. Review these together rather than assuming one control covers the whole computer. Also, screenshots and recordings can preserve information after a message disappears.

For parents, the Steam recording controls above cover Steam’s recorder. Voice chat inside a game, remote play invitations, operating system camera permissions and AI interactions still need separate checks. Use the approved game’s official safety guidance and review other capture software on the computer.

Respond to sexual pressure or threats

If someone pressures a teenager for sexual images or money, stop contact and involve a trusted adult. Preserve account names and messages without copying sexual images of children. Childline offers free support on 1800 66 66 66 and online chat at any time.

In an emergency, call 112 or 999 when someone is in immediate danger. For non urgent concerns, contact your local Garda station. Garda contact guidance also explains the emergency SMS service for people who need it.

Support for Steam Safety Settings

Use Steam Support for account, billing and family problems. Household eligibility, game sharing and billing can differ. Do not change country details or use a VPN to bypass an eligibility decision.

Steam Families and the mobile authenticator do not require a separate parental control subscription. However, games, extra copies and some game subscriptions cost money. Purchase request approval does not make a recurring subscription free.

For families in Ireland, check the current game and account screens. UK, EU and US availability or consumer rights may differ. This guide does not claim that an announced regulation automatically adds a particular menu or protection to an Irish account.

For UK accounts, Steam’s UK age assurance guidance describes a credit card check before opting into certain mature store pages and community hubs. A debit card does not qualify. Do not add an adult’s card to a teenager’s account to bypass this restriction. This UK process is separate from the parental controls and is not a universal Irish facial verification requirement.

Steam Safety Settings Checklist

• ☐ The teenager meets Steam’s account age requirement and uses their own account.
• ☐ The child role and parental controls are enabled.
• ☐ Approved games, feature access and playtime limits have been checked.
• ☐ Game chat, voice and purchases have separate protections where available.
• ☐ Profile privacy and text filtering have been reviewed.
• ☐ Both accounts have Steam Guard and secure recovery arrangements.
• ☐ The teenager knows how to block, report and ask for help.
• ☐ Payment details, wallet funds and subscriptions have been reviewed.

Questions About Steam Safety Settings

Can a younger child use a child role?

Steam’s minimum account age remains 13. The child role controls an eligible account and does not override that requirement. For younger children, choose an age appropriate alternative.

Does restricting Friends Chat stop every conversation?

No. A game may have its own voice, text or multiplayer systems. Therefore, review each approved game as well as any external messaging service.

Does a purchase request block all spending?

Do not assume that it does. Review Store access, wallet balances, saved payments and any game developer’s billing. For example, an independently billed subscription needs a separate cancellation.

Does uninstalling Steam delete an account?

No. Uninstalling an application is different from closing its account or cancelling a subscription. Use the relevant official account or billing process.

Related CODA Guides

• Resources for Parents for other device and platform guides.
• Video Guides for practical demonstrations.
• Digital Wellbeing for Families for household routines.

References

Age, family and privacy sources

• About Steam: The platform’s games and social features.
• Steam Subscriber Agreement: Minimum account age and account responsibilities.
• Steam Families User Guide: Household setup, roles, restrictions, requests and child recovery.
• Steam Profile Privacy: Profile visibility choices and navigation.
• Steam Labs: Background on text filtering in Steam Chat and supporting games.
• Addressing Abuse and Harassment: Unfriending and blocking tools.

Reporting and authentication sources

• Reporting a Scammer or Hijacker: Profile reports and submission instructions.
• Steam Broadcasting: Broadcast privacy, recording scope and reports.
• Steam Guard Setup: Official mobile authenticator setup.
• Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator: Backup codes and recovery precautions.
• Transfer the Mobile Authenticator: Moving protection to a new phone.

Security, billing and account sources

• Account Security Recommendations: Compromised accounts and suspicious devices.
• Steam Refunds: Refund conditions and billing differences.
• Recurring Subscriptions: Cancellation and paid term limits.
• Account Deletion: Permanent loss, ownership checks and cancellation period.
• Steam Scam FAQ: Impersonation, false reports and trading risks.

Safeguarding and support sources

• Childline: Irish support and online chat.
• Garda Contact Guidance: Emergency and accessible contact information.
• Steam Account Help: Security support and account data access.

Additional Control Sources

• Steam Game Recording explains recording modes, audio, clips and sharing.
• Steam Private Games explains game privacy and multiplayer exceptions.
• UK age assurance explains the regional credit card process.

About Children of the Digital Age

Children of the Digital Age provides online safety education and training for schools, parents and organisations. Our guidance connects practical settings with conversations about behaviour and online risk.

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Last updated: 19 October 2026