GTA 6 online safety for parents

The biggest online risks for a younger GTA 6 player are chat with strangers, in-game spending and scams. All three can be switched off for free with the PS5 and Xbox parental controls. Here is each risk and the exact setting that handles it.

GTA 6 has not detailed its online mode yet, so this is based on how GTA Online worked. We will update it when Rockstar confirms the GTA 6 online features. The console controls below are live today.

The online risks, in plain terms

Chat with strangers. If GTA 6 has an online mode like GTA Online, public lobbies put your child in open voice and text chat with adults they do not know. This is the single biggest day-to-day risk, and the easiest to switch off.
In-game spending. GTA Online sold in-game cash for real money. Without a limit, a child can run up real charges fast. Remove saved cards and set a spending cap so every purchase needs your approval.
Scams and fake giveaways. Crime-game communities attract "free money", "free account" and modded-money scams that try to phish logins or payment details. Teach your child that no legitimate giveaway needs their password.
Personal information. Strangers may push for a real name, age, school, photos or social handles. The rule is simple: no personal details shared with people met in game.
Mature lobby behavior. Public sessions can be hostile, with strong language and griefing. Private or invite-only sessions remove most of this.

Lock it down on PS5

Open your PlayStation account Family Management and select the child account.
Set Communication and User-Generated Content to restrict messages and voice chat to friends only, or block them.
Set a monthly spending limit, and remove any saved payment method from the child account.
Apply age-based game restrictions so titles above the limit cannot launch.

Full PS5 parental controls guide.

Lock it down on Xbox

Install the free Microsoft Family Safety app and open your child member.
Under Privacy, limit who they can communicate with and what others can see.
Turn on "Ask to buy" so every purchase needs your approval, and set a spending limit.
Set content filters by age so the game is blocked or gated.

Full Xbox parental controls guide.

Recommended approach by age

Under 13. This is an adult game; the rating exists for a reason. We do not recommend it.
13 to 16. If you allow it, restrict chat to friends only, set spending to require approval, and keep sessions private or invite-only.
17 and over. The rated audience. The controls above are still worth setting for spending and stranger chat.

More: the full parents guide, is GTA 6 safe for kids?, and the age rating.

Get GTA 6 parent updatesWe will email you when GTA 6 confirms its online features and official rating, so you can set controls in time.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop my child chatting with strangers in GTA 6?

Use the console controls. On PS5, set Communication to friends-only or off in Family Management. On Xbox, limit communication in the Microsoft Family Safety app. Playing in a private or invite-only session also removes strangers entirely.

Can my child spend real money in GTA 6 Online?

Possibly, if GTA 6 has microtransactions like GTA Online did. Prevent it by removing saved payment cards and setting a spending limit or "Ask to buy" on the child account.

Is GTA 6 Online safe for kids?

GTA 6 is an adult game, and any online mode means chat with strangers and spending prompts. It is not designed for children. For teenagers near the rated age, the settings above remove most of the online risk.

How do I make a private GTA Online session?

In GTA Online you could start an invite-only or solo session so only friends can join. The same is expected in GTA 6 Online, though Rockstar has not detailed it yet.